Vegan Recipe - Grilled Portobello Mushroom Burger

My friend, JC, is a talented woman. She's a photographer and is soon to be featured at a show in Brooklyn (if you're in the area on July 18th, you can attend the EVENT which, in addition to fine art, will include food, drink, and music). She's also a talented artisan, dancer, and model. Did I say that she's a dedicated "greenie"? Yep, she regularly participates in activities on Reduce Footprints and I happen to know, from our chats, that she works very hard to employ green living techniques in all areas of her life.

If all that weren't enough, JC also cooks. All of the dishes which she shares on her blog, Lady JC Muses, are healthy and many are vegan. Each one includes fresh, in-season ingredients. She epitomizes clean eating with dishes that please the eye as well as the taste buds.

JC has graciously allowed me to share one of her recipes with you. I love the ingredients she's chosen for this dish, and the fact that it comes together quickly. Check it out ... and then, check out JC's blog!

Grilled Portobello Mushroom Burger

Ingredients

• Portobello Mushrooms
• Olive Oil
• Balsamic vinegar
• Marjoram
• Whole Wheat Buns
• Vegenaise or Other Vegan Mayo
• Kale
• Sundried Tomatoes

Method

1. Marinate mushrooms for 1/2 hour in equal parts olive oil & balsamic vinegar with a sprinkle of marjoram.
2. Grill mushrooms for approximately 5 minutes on each side. Remove from grill and let them rest.
3. In the meantime, prepare kale (sauté in a touch of oil until slightly wilted - can add garlic, salt & pepper to taste). Set aside.
4. Put a schmear of mayo on each bun.
5. Add the mushrooms.
6. Top with sautéed kale and a couple sundried tomatoes.
7. Enjoy this quick and delicious lunch.

Doesn't that look delicious ... and so easy to make! You can find the original recipe HERE and JC says that this recipe is perfect for leftover grilled mushrooms. Thanks, JC!!

If you have a vegan recipe which you'd like to share, please contact me HERE. And for all the recipes we've shared so far, be sure to visit our recipe page using the tabs at the top of this blog ... or by clicking HERE.

Image courtesy of Lady JC Muses

This post is shared at Plant-Based Potluck Party Link Up, Healthy Vegan Friday, and Real Food Fridays

This recipe was featured here:

Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW) - Discovering Nature

Welcome to Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)!

Wondering how to live greener? You've come to the right place. Each week we challenge ourselves to try a new task ... or "amp up" something we're already doing. We raise our awareness, learn from each other and develop Eco-friendly skills which will improve our lives and protect our planet. Doing so together gives us power ... the power to Change The World!

If this is your first visit, please click HERE for information and a complete list of all the challenges we've taken on so far.

This post contains great information and I encourage you to read through it at your leisure ... however, if you are short on time, you might find the following quick links helpful:

• The #CTWW Gang
• The Honor Society
• My Final Thoughts on Our Last Challenge
• This Week's Challenge

Were you able to find creative uses for grey water last week? I learned something important. Some communities regulate the use of grey water. In my area, for example, systems must be installed and approved by environmental inspectors in our county's planning department. I'm happy that our local government is concerned about what we release into the earth and our waterways. It is also a reminder that we must always use safe and Eco-friendly cleaning solutions, soaps, and detergents so that grey water doesn't contaminate our environment.

The Honor Society are those people who help us spread the "green" word by writing an article about our challenges and/or leaving pertinent comments.

Lisa left a great comment on our "Reuse" challenge: "Scrap paper is an easy one for most people to try. Rather than recycling paper right away, keep any sheets that are single-sided (flyers, handouts the kids get from school, no-longer needed printouts, etc.) . Use the back side of the paper as scrap paper. We keep ours in a drawer in the kitchen so it's available for writing down phone messages, shopping lists, etc."

Argentum Vulgaris (AV) offers several tips for using grey water in Change the World Wednesday – 18th Jun. One of my favorites is his new method for washing dishes. We might also say that AV is an opportunistic grey water user ... he made good use, recently, of water from a leaky roof.

Deborah joined us and shared this: "Re: Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW) - Grey Water -- It is so important to find ways to conserve and reuse our precious resources especially water. I am looking forward to paying more attention to this issue of grey water and identifying effective reduce & reuse ideas."

EcoGrrl always offers us interesting comments, like this one: "I like to save my big pots of canning water to use in the garden! I had tried the bucket-in-shower thing but my shower is just so teensy that it kept getting kicked :( But hey I only take 2 showers a week so I think it evens out. Our rain cistern in front and barrel in back are worth their weight in gold - we just want more of them!!"

Alicia accepted the challenge and said, "This is an area in which we could improve so I will look for new ways to accomplish this. We collect rainwater and then use it to water our plants which I know isn't a lot but I will be very aware of this and try to accomplish getting better in this area!" Can't wait to learn what improvements you make, Alicia!

Do you keep emergency water on hand? Katie does and her comment includes a great reminder: "I have fallen by the wayside with grey water reuse, so I look forward to reading the tips from other greenies. I recently refreshed the emergency potable water, using the old water to water indoor and outdoor plants. I also wash vegetables in a big bowl and then reuse the water for plants."

Our Twitter friends joined the conversation and shared the following:

From @AndreaPtak (aka @GreenQueenofMod )
- #Greywater Action has all the scoop on collection and use: greywateraction.org #water #conservation #environment
- MENews tells how to "Tap into #Greywater" ow.ly/y3KSU #water #conservation #environment

From @GiveTreeGifts
- About greywater reuse | Greywater Action ow.ly/yb5r5 #CTWW
- From Laundry to Landscape: Tap Into Greywater - MOTHER EARTH NEWS ow.ly/yb5vZ #CTWW
- Greywater Reuse, Grey Water Reuse ow.ly/yb5EG #CTWW
- Greywater Recycling ow.ly/yb5T5 #CTWW
- Green irrigation: How to use a greywater system ow.ly/yb63E #CTWW
- Using Gray Water" ow.ly/yb698 #CTWW
- Graywater for Gardens ow.ly/yb6i4 #CTWW
- Save Money by Reusing Greywater ow.ly/yb6oT #CTWW
- Common Greywater Mistakes and Preferred Practices ow.ly/yb6xG #CTWW
- Gray Water for Residential Use - YouTube ow.ly/yb6BV #CTWW

The #CTWW Gang are those folks who tweet our challenges using the hashtag #CTWW. If you're a Twitter member, I recommend following them ... they share great things. Let's meet them:

@2kidsandacoupon	@@laalicia	@a_kiasi
@andreaptak	@animalrightsrev	@beatepdx
@becks543	@bethsegreen	@biggreenpen
@bstoneblog	@cannyhighlander	@catertomyman
@climately	@climately_news	@climatelycheryl
@compingcrazzy	@counselorholley	@crazykids6
@dear_missmayle	@debsmikdav1	@dehelen
@dieselelephants	@disssnippets	@eco_novice
@ecocountrytable	@ecoexpert1	@ecothrifty
@eloiseart	@environmentguru	@erbaviva
@estefaniacrespo	@factorydpromos	@floralplantgrow
@freshgriller	@giftmeapp	@gioassassin
@givetreegifts	@green_vibes	@greenqueenofmod
@greentim	@groovygreenlivi	@hashtracking
@healthyvoyager	@herbgir1972	@hismerecry
@hobbyberries	@homesustainable	@iamgreenbean
@indiapaleale35	@jnaquins	@justanotherhat
@kaitlingarder	@kayelleallen	@kiser_krafts
@kriswetherbee	@krmbalclothing	@laalicia
@ladyjcmuses	@legsetobicoke	@leslieveg
@looseseal27	@marikokoloco	@marjoriemcatee
@memoahmad14	@mimibarbour	@momfindsout
@mostelegantlady	@nebulousmooch	@newage_author
@nicmanuel	@nonhomogenized	@officialcwerner
@pamela_o_plays	@pberk	@rckweddings
@rmpusa	@rulesofgreen	@ruralmoms
@sensuouspromos	@sfcouncil	@shannongrissom
@shionnomusumeta	@solaradvocate69	@spafloating
@superbsolutions	@susanheaney	@tamlanding
@thispeg	@treesgroup	@vanbordelon
@vegtoday	@violetsbuds	@wencdj
@whopaysthepiper	@women4earth

My Final Thoughts:

Grey water is an under-utilized, often-wasted resource. If we use non-toxic, environmentally-friendly detergents and soaps, it can be used for watering our gardens, cleaning, etc. During our daily activities, a lot of water goes down the drain. Imagine if we were able to use it more than once. Whether we use bath water to flush a toilet or install approved systems for our yards, reusing water reduces our overall consumption. That saves us money and helps the earth.

Thanks, everyone! If you wrote an article, I Stumbled, Tweeted, Facebooked and posted it on Google +. You can help spread the "green" word by using the share features located below this post.

This Week's Challenge:

The natural world is full of amazing critters!

When was the last time that you went outdoors and simply experienced nature?

In our busy lives, we often rush, here and there, missing the beauty which surrounds us. Life is everywhere!

I think it's time to slow down ... to look with new eyes.

Here's your challenge ...

This week, go outside and spend some time. Perhaps take a leisurely stroll down a hiking trail or sit in a park. If you have a yard, find a comfortable spot and look at the world around you. Take your time and relish the experience. The idea, here, is to discover and appreciate the natural world around us ... to see what we usually miss ... to marvel at earth's inhabitants.

I wonder what you'll see?

Are you up for this challenge? I know that you are!

Until next time ...

WE'RE CHANGING THE WORLD ... ONE CHALLENGE AT A TIME!

This post is shared at Healthy, Happy, Green & Natural Party Hop and Share Your Stuff Tuesday

Review - Guide To Wild Foods and Useful Plants

Part of an Eco-friendly life is living closer to the earth. When we take the time to really look at the natural world, we begin to appreciate and love all that the earth offers us ... and what we love, we protect.

Foraging is one way to live closer to the earth.

When I was a child, my family enjoyed searching for food in the forest. Foraging was a fun, family activity. We hunted for mushrooms, picked hazelnuts, and collected wild huckleberries (which my Mom would bake into delicious pies). Finding an edible was like finding treasure and, at dinner later in the evening, we'd enjoy delicious foods while we reminisced about coming upon a patch of goodies.

What I didn't know, back then, was just how many wild foods are available to us. It turns out that there is an abundance of plants which can be used as food and/or medicine. Even our backyards contain a plethora of wild delicacies (did you know that the grains of grass can be eaten?).

I was invited to read Guide To Wild Foods and Useful Plants by Christopher Nyerges. Mr. Nyerges is the co-director of the School of Self-Reliance. Since 1974, he has taught classes on wild foods, survival skills (such as fire-making), and urban skills (such as food and water storage, emergency preparedness, alternates to electricity, etc.).

Guide To Wild Foods and Useful Plants has quickly become my favorite book and one which I carry with me when ... well ... whenever I leave the house. While I may not always harvest plants for food, this handy field guide gives me a new appreciation for the plants I encounter.

The front of the book includes a pictoral key to leaf shapes followed by one for fruits and seeds. This key is so handy in helping one to identify a plant. Once identified, it's easy to find more information ... the book is organized alphabetically.

Information on plants begins with the most prominent characteristics and includes photographs. The author talks about the overall shape and size of the plant and discusses things like the stalk, flower, root, etc.

Next, one will learn about any beneficial properties such as whether or not a plant is edible or if it has medicinal uses. The author even talks about using certain plants to make mats, clothing, etc.

The paragraph on detrimental properties is very important. This is where the author includes information on poisonous plants, plants which may cause skin irritations, and even offers cautions about where a plant is growing (such as polluted water).

Finally, we learn about where the plant can be found, it's growing cycle, and any lore connected to the plant. The author even includes some recipes for cooking wild foods (Tropical Purslane looks delicious).

The end of the book includes an interesting discussion on why we should eat wild foods. It talks about genetic engineering, food purity (as in free from food-borne diseases such as E. coli), commercial fertilizers, and more. I especially liked the paragraph on harmless harvesting where I learned about how to sustainably harvest wild foods.

Guide To Wild Foods and Useful Plants is really a "must have" for anyone who wants to live closer to the earth. It's appropriate for those who love to forage and equally interesting to those just curious about what's growing in their yard. People who love to camp and/or hike will find that it is an invaluable resource ... it may just save a life.

I highly recommend Guide To Wild Foods and Useful Plants.

To purchase the book for your library, please visit these sites:

• Independent Publishers Group (IPG)
• Chicago Review Press

I received a copy of "Guide To Wild Foods and Useful Plants" in order to write this review. I received no other compensation. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone and reflect my honest opinion of the material reviewed.

Images courtesy of Chicago Review Press and digitalart at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

This post is shared at Healthy, Happy, Green & Natural Party Hop

The survey says: Local products are worth the money!

Earlier this month we asked if you would be willing to pay more for local products. Here are the results:

Comments

• Local and organic!
• Imported supermarket food is often absurdly cheap anyway, and the low prices mean that we have very little feeling for the value of food, and feel disconnected from it and its production, buying, eating and wasting far too much of it. Paying a little more not only often means you're getting a 'better' product, but you also value and appreciate it more, and are more imaginative and careful with how you use it.
• I usually don't pay more because it's local - I pay more because it's better quality.
• If they were still of a similar quality/caliber to other non-local products.
• There are several things that I am willing to pay more for because they are local, like produce. But there is a tipping point where it's just not economically an option.
• I already do pay more by shopping locally, but when that balances out with the farmer's market where some foods are less expensive it. It just makes sense to buy locally.
• I seem to live in an area where only a few local products are sold but where I can I always buy British or try to grow my own
• There are some countries where I will avoid buying.
• I pay more for local food products because I like fresh food.Fresh food tastes so much better than food that has traveled across the country or across the Atlantic. I also like the idea of conserving energy and gasoline by buying local food.
• AT the moment I'm lucky enough to be part of a food cooperative that provides very inexpensive local produce, but when certain items are not available I shop at the local farmer's market. The prices are a little higher, but it's worth it to know that I'm buying from and supporting nearby farms. JC
• It depends on both the product and the producer. I'm not going to buy from someone who's a jack-ass for example, just like I wouldn't patronize a local restaurant if the food or service was poor. BUT if the product is comparable in quality to a national or regional brand, I'd definitely give it more consideration.
• I do and will pay more for local, but sometimes it is cheaper. My eggs come from my next door neighbor, better price than at any store for organic..and I know they are fresh.
• I already do! I'm more than happy to take my money to the farmer's market and load up on local produce from people I know--it's higher quality, fresher, tastier and I can always ask about growing practices if I need to! Plus, it's fun to follow the seasons. I also don't mind paying more for handmade/organic/locally produced foods and body care products.
• Though I'm a bit loose with the definition of locally. First, I will always pay to buy something produced in the US (my home country). Then, whenever possible, I do like to drill down to items produced closer to home: in my state (Washington), then in my region (Western WA). I grow a lot of my own food, but love my neighborhood Farmers Market. When it comes time to buy gifts, I shop at the local retail district (lots of small, locally-owned shops).
• Depends on How much more...

Are you surprised at the results?

It's thrilling to see so many "yes" answers. I am especially excited by the idea that we want more from the products we buy. Not only must products serve their intended purpose, they must offer us greater value:

• We look for high quality which translates into a longer life cycle or, in the case of food, better flavor, freshness, and nutrition. That often means that we reduce waste. And, interestingly, over the long run we might actually find that the overall cost is less than buying mass-produced, non-local products.


• We want a connection to both the product and the manufacturer. Talking to the farmer who grew our food gives us an appreciation for how products went from the field to our table. Learning how an artisan makes a piece of furniture, and seeing the care which goes into each creation, ties us to the process and the artist. Buying local gives us those connections to our community ... relationships and friendships which enhance our lives.


• We want products which support our local economy. Buying local means that our money stays in the community. We can see it at work when our favorite farmer can afford to buy new equipment after a successful harvest or when a local restaurant expands because business has been good. On a more personal level, perhaps contributing to a healthy local economy is rewarded by higher personal income, giving meaning to the phrase "what goes around, comes around".

When we consider all that buying local can do for us and the world around us, paying a bit more seems like a great deal!

Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW) - Grey Water

Welcome to Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)!

Wondering how to live greener? You've come to the right place. Each week we challenge ourselves to try a new task ... or "amp up" something we're already doing. We raise our awareness, learn from each other and develop Eco-friendly skills which will improve our lives and protect our planet. Doing so together gives us power ... the power to Change The World!

If this is your first visit, please click HERE for information and a complete list of all the challenges we've taken on so far.

This post contains great information and I encourage you to read through it at your leisure ... however, if you are short on time, you might find the following quick links helpful:

• The #CTWW Gang
• The Honor Society
• This Week's Challenge

Last week we got creative and upcycled items which typically would be tossed out. As I went through the week, I realized several benefits to the challenge. The most obvious was that "stuff" was reused and kept out of the landfill. Not so obvious was the benefit of saving money. Often, reusing meant that I didn't have to go out and buy something else. A total win-win! I also liked the thought process ... thinking creatively instead of just automatically tossing things out.

The Honor Society are those people who help us spread the "green" word by writing an article about our challenges and/or leaving pertinent comments.

From our previous challenge on growing food, Lisa wrote Harvesting and planting more. I learned so much in that post. For example, did you know that there are many perennial varieties of vegetables? As one person put it ... plant it and forget it. That's my kind of gardening!

Ann stopped by and shared this: "I learn to quilt from my grandma. I remember she got my mum to go to the tailoring shops to get scraps, when she saw the pants scrap were black and grey, only then she bought some colour ends of fabric from the fabric shop. I am the only grand daughter who learn to sew a quilt because I helped her. Will show you my queen sized quilt another time. Lots of memories." She also shared an interesting gas-saving idea. You can see it HERE.

Clare accepted the challenge and said, "I re-use those plastic tubs (yoghurt, ice cream) and toilet roll centres / cores for planting seedlings or seeds. The plastic can be re-used many times, the cardboard degrades naturally into the soil. There are 4 rather unusual ways of re-using things here: http://www.ecofriendlylink.com/blog/4-things-not-re-using.
And sometimes I build up a collection of odds-and-ends which I then use to barter with friends for something I can use (How to Barter for Fun and Profit) - it's so true that one's rubbish is another one's treasure. I'm really enjoying the tips in the other comments - wonderful ideas which I will also implement - thanks everyone!"

This edition of the Hottest Writers on the Web gave CTWW a nice mention. I also found an interesting article entitled "The World’s Tiniest Washing Machine Will Fit Into Your Pocket". Check it out!

Mary joined us. Here are her comments: "I think cardboard boxes and documents that you no longer need are very handy when it comes to organizing your desk. A small cardboard box can hold office supplies and be placed on the corner of a desk. Extra paper is invaluable if you notice that you are constantly ripping out blank pages from a notebook to write a reminder, for instance."

Alicia accepted the challenge and shared this: "What a fun challenge! A few months ago I started taking the jars that we get our pickles in and taking the Trader Joes label off cleaning them and then putting things like our flax meal, rice, coconut and chocolate chips in them. I made labels for each of them. The jars keep everything airtight and it has helped me be more organized. My husband has given up drinking coffee but I use to buy the large plastic containers of coffee for him. I use them to put the smaller type of toys that our grandsons play with in them. The top pops right on and keeps all of those toys together. I had some curtains that I was going to give to Goodwill but instead I made several reusable grocery bags from them.My husband had some wooden boxes out in the shop that he was wanting to get rid of. I brought them inside and made a cute planter box from one of them and used the others for organizing our cloth napkins and one for holding and keeping up with office papers. I am excited to hear what everyone else has come up with."

EcoGrrl joined us and said this: "While I prefer to recycle rather than keep too much stuff around, I do keep little glass jars (think mustard and similar sizes) for the garage to organize screws, nails, etc. I thought I was so innovative at one point for doing this then realized my grandpa had the same thing in his garage where the lids were actually nailed to an overhang to keep the counters clear. Some similar ideas are here: http://www.familyhandyman.com/workshop/storage/hardware-storage-diy-tips-and-hints/view-all. I also like to reuse glass jars for the bulk aisle - peanut butter, nuts and other snacks, etc., that I don't need to use my huge canisters for. (Side note - I try to not buy anything in plastic packaging and don't like to reuse it so what I do get all gets recycled - Portland has reopened recycling rigid plastics so all the lids and prescription bottles once again can go to Far West Fibers, yay!) PS -thanks for the shout out on our wedding !! :) " She also gave CTWW a nice mention in EcoGrrl-icious. That post contains some great upcycle ideas and links.

Argentum Vulgaris came up with some very creative uses for "stuff". My favorite is the brick which became a knife/utensil holder. Read Change the World Wednesday – 11th Jun for more excellent ideas.

I knew that Lois would offer us all kinds of fabulous reuse ideas ... and she did. In Change the World Wednesday: It’s time to Reuse she presents ways to reuse old coffee containers, sheets, and even tires. Check out her post and be inspired!

Our Twitter friends joined the conversation and shared the following:

From @GreenQueenofMod
- Transform rusty, old tomato cages into artsy plant supports: http://t.co/c85tc6vQ43 Â #repurpose #DIY http://t.co/BNn5ysZMdx
- Don't toss that old sheet make a cotton nightgown! http://t.co/fHa9Vkad6V Â #repurpose #upcycle http://t.co/AxBuySiPcW
- REUSE old license plates. We made a screen for our wood shed! #repurpose #upcycle http://t.co/PTZAbIZaWa

From @cannyhighlander
- Thx for including~glad to say I regularly re-use/re-purpose items :))~

From @FreshGriller
- Reusing wine corks to make a cork board is a great way to reduce waste. What's your favorite thing to reuse? #CTWW

From @HerbGir1972
- Video: Reuse plastic bottles #CTWW http://t.co/YTioS0xebs

From @GiveTreeGifts
- Give Your Screen Another Go | 10 Uses for Window Screens  http://t.co/lw9vqudFZP #CTWW
- Edible Gardening in Small Spaces: Repurposed gutters make the perfect hanging vegetable patch: http://t.co/jyyKh0BDlG #CTWW
- How to Make Rag Rugs  Tutorial How to Make a Beautiful Braided Rug http://t.co/ZY4YtXURzy #CTWW
- Pallet Gardening 101: Creating a Pallet Garden http://t.co/vez5rcBau6 #CTWW

The #CTWW Gang are those folks who tweet our challenges using the hashtag #CTWW. If you're a Twitter member, I recommend following them ... they share great things. Let's meet them:

@12tmimi	@a_kiasi	@acuriousgal1
@allnaturalkatie	@almosttruth	@andreaptak
@angleawojtczak	@anne_brennan	@aqua8co
@aureli651	@beatepdx	@becks543
@bigbadflower	@biggreenpen	@bstoneblog
@cannyhighlander	@compingcrazzy	@cookingnook
@counselorholley	@crazykids6	@deancmoore
@dehelen	@dieselelephants	@dmilly1234
@drylandgardens	@dshojinakamoto	@ecocountrytable
@ecoexpert1	@ecofriendlyfurn	@ecothrifty
@erbaviva	@estefaniacrespo	@etsyrecyclersgt
@factorydpromos	@flapi777	@floralplantgrow
@foodretro	@freshgriller	@gensgarden
@giftmeapp	@ginavalley	@gioassassin
@givetreegifts	@grailville	@grandantique
@green_vibes	@greenqueenofmod	@greensoil
@groovygreenlivi	@hashtracking	@healthyvoyager
@herbgir1972	@hismerecry	@hobbyberries
@imgreenareyou	@isf_fl	@jadekerrion
@janmoran	@jnaquins	@johannamhaack
@jumblets	@justanotherhat	@kaitlingarder
@kayelleallen	@kiser_krafts	@kriswetherbee
@krmbalclothing	@laalicia	@ladyjcmuses
@legsetobicoke	@leslieveg	@linxcoach
@lissarabinowitz	@lovecanal2020	@marbaird
@marikokoloco	@marjoriemcatee	@memoahmad14
@mimibarbour	@momfindsout	@momgamerwriter
@mostelegantlady	@nicmanuel	@nmannas
@nonhomogenized	@officialcwerner	@paige989
@pamela_o_plays	@pberk	@petsadoption738
@pisaticreations	@rckweddings	@realityarts
@repurposeideas	@revolutionyfarm	@roundtreeland
@rulesofgreen	@s_possibilities	@sensuouspromos
@sfcouncil	@shannongrissom	@skipwillits
@socialavenues	@soniatbrock	@spafloating
@sproasan	@star_shine22	@superbsolutions
@tammycurry	@terraccordpdx	@theodoranaso
@theworld4realz	@thispeg	@treesgroup
@twicecreations	@vanbordelon	@vegtoday
@violetsbuds	@wencdj	@whopaysthepiper
@whywelovegreen	@wikihow	@women4earth
@yuzuha8100

Thanks, everyone! If you wrote an article, I Stumbled, Tweeted, Facebooked and posted it on Google +. You can help spread the "green" word by using the share features located below this post.

This Week's Challenge:

A standard size bathtub
(5 feet long x 30 inches wide)
will hold approximately
50 gallons of water

Our bloggy friend, Andrea (aka @GreenQueenofMod), suggested that we take on water conservation this week. Specifically, grey water (relatively clean water from sinks, baths, washing machines, etc.).

Did you know that if you leave tap water running, more than 2 gallons of water per minute goes down the drain?

Here's another interesting statistic ... on average, washing your hands uses between 1-5 gallons of water. Wow!

Doesn't this sound like a great opportunity to conserve?

Here's your challenge ...

This week, find creative ways to use grey water. For example, Agnes, a true "greenie" and CTWW participant, uses bath water to flush the toilet. Some people take shower water and use it to feed their plants. My grandmother (way ahead of her time) diverted rinse water from her washing machine to a tub. Then, the water was sucked back into the machine for the next load's wash cycle. The idea, this week, is to prevent as much water as possible from going down the drain.

Are you ready to put grey water to use? I know that you are!


Until next time ...

WE'RE CHANGING THE WORLD ... ONE CHALLENGE AT A TIME!

Guest Post - A Quick Guide to Helping to Save the World – Eco for Newbies

Environmental issues are no longer a matter of personal politics – they are an essential consideration if we are going to sustain life on earth for generations to come. Thankfully, every year more people opt to cycle to work instead of drive, more people start to compost their vegetable waste, and more recycling centres are built by companies like JP Concrete. It's pleasing to see. But what are you doing for the environment? What can you do? Here are some essentials.

Ditch Your Wheels for the Week

Greenhouse gas emissions are the chief contributor to climate change worldwide. Therefore they are also the main thing that pose a threat to your kids enjoying a happy future. So can't you sacrifice the main offender – your car – for at least a couple of days, if not your whole working week? If you could keep off the road for just two days a week, you'd reduce greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 1,600 pounds per year. Besides, if you can get fitter by walking or riding to work instead, isn't that a good thing too? And come to think of it, isn't walking a lot cheaper than driving as well?

Stop Moaning, Start Recycling

The number of people who complain that they can't be bothered to separate plastics, glass and paper is truly shocking. Don't these people give a hoot about what kind of world they leave behind for future generations? Quite simply, you can help to reduce pollution significantly, simply by putting your empty bottles and cans in a different bin. It's not rocket science. But, given the environmental ramifications of not recycling, it is absolutely essential.

Composting Is Common Sense

Some people seem to think that composting is a pastime reserved solely for ex-hippies with horticultural pretensions. But they couldn't be more wrong. Composting is for anyone who doesn't want to see kilo upon kilo of waste sent to landfill on a weekly basis. Not only is it incredibly easy to do, but the benefits go beyond just reducing pollution; compost can be broken down to make amazing fertilizer for the soil in your garden. Whether you plan to plant flowers, fruit or vegetables, there's nothing better.

Saving Earth For Generations To Come

Climate change is now an undeniable reality. The clock is ticking on planet earth, and it's up to us to make a big enough change that we reverse the effects before it's too late. By following the advice given here, you will be ensuring that you've done your bit towards saving planet earth for the generations to come.

Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW) - Reuse

Welcome to Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)!

Wondering how to live greener? You've come to the right place. Each week we challenge ourselves to try a new task ... or "amp up" something we're already doing. We raise our awareness, learn from each other and develop Eco-friendly skills which will improve our lives and protect our planet. Doing so together gives us power ... the power to Change The World!

If this is your first visit, please click HERE for information and a complete list of all the challenges we've taken on so far.

This post contains great information and I encourage you to read through it at your leisure ... however, if you are short on time, you might find the following quick links helpful:

• The #CTWW Gang
• The Honor Society
• My Final Thoughts on Our Last Challenge
• This Week's Challenge

The start of our garden

How did you do with last week's challenge to grow some food?

We have always grown food, usually in containers on our patio. Some years, we've simply grown a few herbs for cooking. Other years, we've had a variety of veggies & fruits including tomatoes, peppers and figs.

This year we have a huge space in which to grow food. The image to the right shows our tomatoes. We've since added hot peppers, eggplants, soybeans, potatoes, zucchini, green beans and cantaloupe. In another area, we've planted filbert trees and blackberry bushes.

I can't wait to see how our new garden space develops. And, of course, harvesting our treasures will be very exciting!

The Honor Society are those people who help us spread the "green" word by writing an article about our challenges and/or leaving pertinent comments.

Katie stopped by and shared this comment about our Monarch Butterfly challenge: " I have been buying flowering plants, as I love flowers, in all different sizes to attracts bees and butterflies of all sizes. Just today, my husband snapped a photo of a hummingbird at the lamb's ear plant. I will look for milkweed to plant in the front since it is specifically for the monarchs." Later in the week, she wrote Garden: Lots of Rain, Lots of Growth [#CTWW]. In that article she includes photos of her garden and an interesting tip about Black Walnut trees. Thanks, Katie!

This edition of Change The World Paper #ecotalk includes a nice CTWW mention and articles which were tweeted by the CTWW Gang. Thanks, Brenna!

Lillian accepted our challenge and shared this: "We planted food (tomato, squash, pepper, basil, etc.) and some fruit trees this week. We are really excited. Thank you for the links to milkweed seed. I have been looking for it and haven't found any. We want to plant some too." Hope you have a great harvest, Lillian! By the way ... were you able to get some milkweed seeds?

Lady JC joined us. Here's what she had to say: "I'm always thrilled when a CTWW is already part of my weekly plan. :) Yesterday I planted some Bok Choy in a container and in the last couple of days I also put in tomato plants and a couple of green peppers. Next step is to some heat friendly leafy greens. I'm excited to see what everyone else is growing. Happy planting!" Mmm ... Bok Choy ... hope you'll share photos of them, JC!

Alicia stopped in and said this: "Oh how I love this challenge! The weather has been warm then cold then wet and cold again It looks like the warmer weather is here for a while now so we were able to plant part of our garden this past week. Squash, peppers, tomatoes and lots of herbs have been planted with more on the way this week. We so love planting time because you know it won't be to long until it will be picking time!! Planting your own food not only allows you to know how it's been raised but is such a great way to save money and be able to enjoy ripe delicious fruits and veggies!" I've seen photos of your herbs, Alicia, and all I can say is ... I want to graze in your garden! :-)

Have you ever grown asparagus? That's just one of the many foods in Teri's garden. Take a look at How Does Your (Herb) Garden Grow? ... even with having to replant because of an unexpected freeze, her garden is looking good! Thanks, Teri!

Argentum Vulgaris wrote Change the World Wednesday – 4th Jun where he gives us an update on junk mail, milkweed, and shares photos of his healthy fruits and veggies. As I remember, AV, you mentioned, awhile back, that you couldn't get parsley in your local markets. So happy to see that you are growing your own!

EcoGrrl joined us and shared this: "A couple of our 18 tomato plants grown from seed did not fare well in the wildly changing weather here in Oregon, so we bought a few replacement heirlooms at the nursery. We're already harvesting greens and peas, and the first crop of potatoes should be ready in a couple weeks, but as the peas finish up we have nitrogen-rich soil, perfect for the next planting of 30 pepper plants - it's going to be pepper-o-rama for us this year!!" By the way, please join me in offering EcoGrrl a huge CONGRATULATIONS on her recent wedding. We wish you and your husband all the best, EcoGrrl! And for those of you who are curious about how a true "greenie" makes her wedding meaningful and earth-friendly, hop over to her site and browse the Green Wedding Chronicles series (includes some fabulous wedding photos).

Lisa accepted the challenge and wrote Harvesting and planting more. What I found particularly exciting is that most of what she harvested this week was from perennials, planted in previous years, or from volunteer plants. And she's harvesting a lot! It's so exciting and I'll be thinking more about perennial food plants for next year. Check out her post to find out what's been on her table this week. Thanks, Lisa!

Our Twitter friends joined the conversation and shared the following:

From @acuriousgal1
- Planted a zucchini plant, love to eat raw with dip. Also planted Cilantro, perfect in all my fave dishes. Anyone else?

From @Terraccordpdx
- Happy to see this symbol of #organic integrity in my neighborhood nursery. #pdx instagram.com/p/o1C2LlnCxT/

From @GiveTreeGifts
- The wood on our compost bins has deteriorated so I'm currently working on new compost bins. Great & inexpensive way to amend soil #CTWW
- How Is Growing a Veggie Garden Eco-Friendly? ow.ly/xD0gA #CTWW
- Top Ten Tips for Eco-Friendly Gardening #HGTV shar.es/P1HOl via @ShareThis #CTWW
- Vegetable Gardening 101 ow.ly/xD0zc #CTWW
- How To Plant A Vegetable Garden In Your Front Lawn ow.ly/xD1TN #CTWW
- Planting an Eco-Friendly Garden | Vegetarian Times ow.ly/xD27X #CTWW
- Eco-Friendly Cardboard Weed Barrier for Your Garden ow.ly/xD2mT #CTWW
- Veg Week 2014: How to Start Growing Vegetables the Eco-friendly Way | The Tofu Diaries ow.ly/xD2ta #CTWW
- How to Garden With Vinegar: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - ow.ly/xD2BC #CTWW
- Organic Garden Pest Control ow.ly/xD2Fs #CTWW

From @JNaquins
- Planted carrots and a variety of lettuce over the winter. Love eating the carrots with ranch dressing and salad

From @S_Possibilities
- Plant some food! #CTWW I've been harvesting lettuce, asparagus, kale, chives & strawberries. Planted squash and beans today. How about you?

From @FreshGriller
- It's #CTWW! Start growing your own food for fresher items at a lower cost.


I'd like to share a special tweet from @KrmbalClothing ... it's a great idea and I hope you'll sign the petition: "Sign & help conservation efforts along our highways for wildlife & especially pollinators pollinator.org/BEEAct.htm #ctww"

The #CTWW Gang are those folks who tweet our challenges using the hashtag #CTWW. If you're a Twitter member, I recommend following them ... they share great things. Let's meet them:

@12tmimi	@a_kiasi	@acuriousgal1
@allnaturalkatie	@almosttruth	@andreaptak
@anne_brennan	@aqua8co	@becks543
@bigbadflower	@bstoneblog	@cannyhighlander
@compingcrazzy	@cookingnook	@counselorholley
@crazykids6	@deancmoore	@dehelen
@dmilly1234	@dshojinakamoto	@ecocountrytable
@ecoexpert1	@ecofriendlyfurn	@ecothrifty
@erbaviva	@estefaniacrespo	@factorydpromos
@floralplantgrow	@foodretro	@freshgriller
@gensgarden	@ginavalley	@gioassassin
@givetreegifts	@grailville	@green_vibes
@greenqueenofmod	@greensoil	@groovygreenlivi
@hashtracking	@healthyvoyager	@herbgir1972
@hismerecry	@hobbyberries	@imgreenareyou
@isf_fl	@jadekerrion	@janmoran
@jnaquins	@justanotherhat	@kayelleallen
@kiser_krafts	@krmbalclothing	@laalicia
@ladyjcmuses	@legsetobicoke	@leslieveg
@linxcoach	@lovecanal2020	@marbaird
@marikokoloco	@marjoriemcatee	@momgamerwriter
@nonhomogenized	@officialcwerner	@paige989
@pamela_o_plays	@pberk	@petsadoption738
@rckweddings	@realityarts	@revolutionyfarm
@roundtreeland	@rulesofgreen	@s_possibilities
@sensuouspromos	@sfcouncil	@shannongrissom
@socialavenues	@soniatbrock	@spafloating
@star_shine22	@superbsolutions	@tammycurry
@terraccordpdx	@theworld4realz	@thispeg
@treesgroup	@vegtoday	@violetsbuds
@wencdj	@whopaysthepiper	@wikihow
@women4earth

My Final Thoughts:

At a grocery store, recently, we noticed a man picking fruit from beautiful trees placed within the parking lot. He called them "Serviceberries" and said that they produce delicious fruit. I did a little research and found that this native plant produces beautiful white flowers in the spring, followed by edible berries (similar to blueberries) in late May, and then, for its final "hoorah", the foliage turns a brilliant red in the autumn. What more could we want from a tree? It made me wonder, not for the first time, why we (society) choose ornamental plants and trees over varieties which provide food. Aside from the obvious nutritional benefits of growing food, there's also a benefit to the earth. Did you know that many varieties of food-bearing plants & trees actually add nutrients to the soil? It's a brilliant system. And for those who think that fruit and vegetable plants aren't pretty enough for the yard, consider these:

Cabbage

Peppers

Passion Fruit

Thanks, everyone! If you wrote an article, I Stumbled, Tweeted, Facebooked and posted it on Google +. You can help spread the "green" word by using the share features located below this post.

This Week's Challenge:

Scraps of material can be reused
to make a beautiful quilt

Have you ever gone to toss out an item (or recycle it) and thought, "there must be something I can do with this"?

Reusing items has the potential of diverting a lot of stuff from landfills. So, let's get creative this week.

Here's your challenge ...

This week, before placing items in either the recycle or trash bin, see if you can find new uses for them. For example, an empty ketchup bottle could be used to dispense pancake batter onto the griddle. An old cooking pot or tea kettle could become your newest planter. Got some empty medicine bottles? Fill them with coins and keep in your car for toll booths or times when you need a few pennies. The idea, this week, is to find a use for things which might otherwise be thrown away.

Are you ready to let your creative genius shine? I know that you are!

Until next time ...

WE'RE CHANGING THE WORLD ... ONE CHALLENGE AT A TIME!

Vegan Recipe - Amazing Legume: LentilsBy Marcy Gaston

First, I’d like to thank Small Footprints for letting me guest blog today. I’m very happy to contribute a recipe to her blog and share some yummy vegan goodness with all of her readers.

So, today’s recipe and post are about lentils: the little legume that could. Lentils are a subject that I’ve been researching, writing about, and presenting on for the past few months. Instead of boring you about my work, you can read about it HERE or HERE. As a result of my work, I feel like I really know lentils now and I want everyone to get to know them, too. My colleagues (fellow grad students) and I wrote a booklet regarding the subject of lentils. A copy of it is POSTED ON MY WEBSITE. It’s a good overview regarding the agricultural, nutritional, and culinary aspects of organic lentils.

Realizing that you may not want to read a big document let me give you the Cliff’s Notes version. In terms of agriculture, Montana is the leading producer of both organically and conventionally grown lentils in the United States. However, most of the lentils we grow are shipped overseas to India and Africa. Additionally, they are a great crop for farmers to grow due to their ability to grow in semi-arid regions and ability to fix nitrogen in the soil.

High in protein, fiber, folate, iron, and calcium, lentils pack a powerful nutritional punch. Lentils also have about 45% more antioxidants than blueberries (I know – what?!). Yeah. Lentils rock.

To get the most out of their nutritional benefits, you should soak them first before using. Eight to twelve hours is long enough to increase their nutritional benefit. Even sprouting (a whole other blog post) will increase the nutritional powerhouse even more.

All right, now let’s get down to the nitty gritty: the cooking. While there are lots (and I mean lots) of recipes utilizing lentils, I’ve chosen to share a vegan soup recipe. Why? It’s simple. It’s easy. It’s delicious.

Enjoy! And don’t forget to eat your lentils.

Red Lentil and Winter Squash Bisque

Makes 6, 1 cup servings

Ingredients

• 1 medium acorn squash, cut in half and seeds scooped out
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled and minced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 yellow onion
• 1 tablespoon Thai red chili paste (like Sambal)
• 4 cups vegetable stock
• 1 cup red lentils*
• 1 cup coconut milk (canned is best)
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Chopped cilantro for garnish
• Juice of 1 lime

*The red lentils can be soaked ahead of time for 8-12 hours in the refrigerator. When ready to make the soup, drain the lentils.

Method

Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Line a baking sheet with foil and brush the foil with a teaspoon of olive oil. Place the acorn squash flesh side down on the foil. Bake until the squash is tender, about 20-30 minutes (depends on the size of the squash). Remove from oven and set aside to cool slightly. Peel off the skin and scoop out the flesh. Reserve the flesh for the soup.

While the squash is cooking, heat the remaining olive oil over medium heat in a soup pot. Add the ginger, garlic, and onion. Sauté for 5-7 minutes or until the vegetables are soft. Season the vegetables lightly with salt and pepper. Add the Thai red chili paste; sauté for 1-2 minutes. Add the stock and the lentils; season lightly with salt and pepper. Bring up to a boil and then reduce the heat to simmer. Simmer until the lentils are cooked, about 20-25 minutes. Add the squash to the soup. Cook for another 10 minutes or so. With a hand blender, puree the soup until smooth. Add the coconut milk. Blend to incorporate. Taste and adjust the seasonings accordingly.

Serve in warm bowls garnished with chopped cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.


I'd like to say a huge THANK YOU to Marcy for sharing this delicious recipe with us! For more great recipes, visit Marcy at Cooking Rut.

If you have a vegan recipe which you'd like to share, please contact me HERE. And for all the recipes we've shared so far, be sure to visit our recipe page using the tabs at the top of this blog ... or by clicking HERE.

Recipe and image courtesy of Marcy at Cooking Rut

Meet & Greet (#MtaGt) - June - USAgain

Welcome to Meet & Greet, a regular series designed to grow our green community.

Banner by Art Ist

Grab our banner for your site:<br /> <a href="http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/p/meet-greet.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="A monthly link-up party for green blogs on Reduce Footprints" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkes4Ye110zbirkxMV6FAevl_7ymkBSWTCsXC7Li1_Vqm5HuIZkn81pN-CFX8iYJkLxAnDNccMjfHmFEMX8Hy8kFjkepmewEnRhBII4indKyexo3L1n6QDC0YrS0jY5Jy94ZyCLUx-_sg/s220/meet--and-greet-003-1000.jpg"/></a></a>
The rules:

1. Use the link-up tool below to share your green-living blog or collection of environmental posts.
2. Visit at least one other blog and/or the featured site and leave a pertinent comment.
3. The link-up will remain open for a month.
4. Random.org determines the featured site each month.

Last month we linked up articles. Random.org chose Amtrak trains, restaurants help travelers go green by USAgain, a for-profit company that collects unwanted textiles and resells them, thereby diverting millions of pounds of clothing from landfills. This article is an interesting look at how travel options are becoming more Eco-friendly. For example, you might already know that train travel is more "green" than flying or driving; but did you know that one company, Amtrak, provides recycling bins in every car? Those of you who enjoy eating out will be happy to know that more and more restaurants are reducing their impact. Even some fast-food restaurants are offering recycling bins. The article finishes up with a list of travel tips such as avoiding the free continental breakfast buffet at hotels to reduce waste and bringing reusable drink containers to a hotel room instead of using the provided single-use, plastic-wrapped versions.

After reading Amtrak trains, restaurants help travelers go green, be sure to browse around the blog and read other terrific posts. I found an article entitled EcoATM provides ‘smart’ way to recycle Smartphones, tablets, iPods, mp3 players and another about going green in the bathroom. I also found articles on textile recycling. USAgain has great content and something for everyone. Check it out!

For previous features & blogs, check out the Meet & Greet Page: http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/p/meet-greet.html.

Our link-up is live. Please list your blog, visit and have fun!

PLEASE NOTE ... we're accepting links from blogs this month ... stay tuned as this will change from time to time.