Archive | FOOD AND DRINK

During the chilly winter months, my family has movie night once a week. We love to snuggle up on the couch under a big cozy blanket, and watching a film together is also the perfect excuse to indulge in one of my favorite movie-going snacks: Junior Mints. The problem is, traditional Junior Mints contain modified ingredients, artificial flavors and a couple of ingredients that I have never even heard of.

So before we pop in a DVD, I spend a few minutes making a quick batch of organic chocolate peppermints with my son. We almost always have the four ingredients necessary to make them in our kitchen, and my son can do almost all of the work by himself. And guess what — they taste almost exactly like the real deal! If you want to give these little yummy gems as a hostess gift, you can roll the balls yourself – imprinting the holes as you go to prevent cracking — and you can carefully pipe the chocolate in so they look perfect! Jump over to Inhabitots to learn how to make these simple organic chocolate peppermint candies with your children. Then, choose your favorite movie to enjoy while you have a sweet treat!

When we got home from our strawberry picking adventure last Saturday – I went straight to work whipping up a homemade organic strawberry shortcake. I was a little worried that it wouldn’t taste as good as one that could picked up from the bakery – I was wrong. It was a huge hit, Eben and the mister were both impressed. Honestly it didn’t taste long to put together, however it bakes for an hour and then needs to cool for a couple more – so make it well in advance if you are taking it to a party or serving it for dessert. Read on to get started:

What you will need:

• 1 cup organic cake flour
• 1 1/2 cups organic sugar
• 12 large organic free range egg whites (or substitute)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons organic vanilla
• 1 1/2 teaspoons organic lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon organic cream of tartar
• 1/2 teaspoon organic almond extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• organic strawberries

For the whipped topping:

•  1 cup organic coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon organic honey
• 1 tablespoon organic vanilla

Directions:

Step 1: Whisk It!
Heat oven to 325°. In a bowl, whisk the organic flour and 3/4 cup of organic sugar.

Step 2: Mix It!
In your stand mixer (or with a hand mixer) beat egg whites on low speed until they begin to froth. Add the organic cream of tartar, lemon juice, vanilla extract, almond extract and salt and continue to beat on medium speed. Add the other 3/4 cup of organic sugar a little at a time until it has all been added, then mix until soft peaks form.

Step 3: Fold It!
Gently fold in the flour-sugar mixture using a spatula, pour into a 9 inch pan (preferably with a removable bottom). If not, line it with parchment paper first.

Step 4: Bake It!
Bake it for 60 minutes until under the top is golden brown and will spring back when you press it.

Step 5: Cool It!
Immediately remove it from the pan and let it cool for several hours.

Step 6: Cut It!
Cut with a serrated knife.

Step 7: Serve It!
Serve topped with organic strawberries and homemade organic whip cream.

Last Saturday was especially chilly and breezy here in Florida. Instead of hitting the beach, we took a drive to our local organic farm to check out the animals and pick strawberries. I was in the mood to make homemade organic strawberry shortcake and strawberry picking is a fun, family activity that we enjoy every winter.

D and D Family Farms is located in Palm City, Florida and is one of the largest you-pick farms on the Treasure Coast. They have been naturally growing for over 33 years and have a huge variety of fruits and vegetables to pick including; strawberries, tomatoes, cauliflower, cabbage, eggplant, beets, hot peppers, lettuces, squash, cucumber, blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries.

They also have a lot of different animals on the farm; pigs, goats, roosters, cows, chickens, a donkey, and this adorable baby goat. Pure sweetness!

If you live in the area it is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

+ D and D Family Farms
5059 SW Citrus Blvd
Palm City, Florida 34990
Phone: 772.463.1330

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P.S. Is it just me or is Eben growing up too quickly! 

I have been feeling under the weather this week, you? However, when we picked up this week’s CSA, I couldn’t help but perk up, do you agree? I was a little concerned that we received more eggplant – remember my plea for help last week? That was until I told the mister that I didn’t think I could eat eggplant Parmesan again this week. He said not to worry and whipped us up the most amazing eggplant french fries to go with our veggie burgers! Watch for the recipe coming soon.

Here is what was in our CSA this week:

• green beans
• strawberries
• tomatoes
• spinach
• lettuce
• mustard greens
• squash
• green peppers
• jalapeno
• cabbage
• cucumber
• parsley
• broccoli
• Swiss chard 

So my question this week is how do you enjoy Swiss Chard? Do you have any favorite recipes you could share with me? I would love to hear your suggestions.

Hello, Friends! How was your week? Are you in a part of the world that is experiencing a lot of snow? It is only 68° at our house today, here in Florida – chilly. Ha! I spent the entire afternoon baking for upcoming posts – sweet vegan treats! I think Eben will be super excited when he comes home from school to find homemade vegan marshmallows and cinnamon rolls.

Do you have any fun plans for the weekend? We are going to a birthday party tomorrow.  The party is for a friend of Eben’s -however, parents are invited, and I heard there will be a margarita machine. Hello! Then, the rest of the long weekend we are planning to do a lot of hiking and biking since the weather may be a little chilly for the beach.

While I tidy up the kitchen – there is powdered sugar everywhere, here are a few green things I thought you might enjoy:

– I have always wanted to transform an old church into a home, this restaurant has my gears cranking!
– This story on boys entering puberty early, like girls is interesting.
– I totally remember doing these weaving projects in elementary, do you?
– This one is for my mister – he is obsessed with tiny homes again this week. You?
– I really fear that our society may be the next to die out – interesting read.
– OMGoodness! These DIY Valentine’s hand warmers are fantastic!
– Still eating fast food? If so, definitely steer clear of these 9 most unhealthy meals.
– This blueberry-coconut baked steel cut oatmeal is calling my name – Sunday brunch anyone? 

I hope you have a cozy long weekend, I will see you back here on Monday!

xo,
Sweet Greens

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