My favorite part of the holiday season is spending every afternoon making crafts with Eben. All of the projects that we do are part of our advent calendar – so when he gets home from school, he opens an envelope to find out what our project will be. It is the perfect way to bond after he has been away at school all day!
Last night we spent a few minutes before dinner crafting miniature cork Christmas Trees to display in our home. This craft is super easy and it’s perfect for children of all ages. It would also be an ideal crafty activity for your holiday party! Jump over to Inhabitots to learn how to make these simple recycled miniature wine cork Christmas trees in a few easy steps.
Organic succulents in recycled paint dipped cans are a perfect offering for children to give to teachers, coaches, tutors, neighbors, and grandparents as a sweet holiday gift. Making this DIY present is a super easy project that is fun to do with your kids at the kitchen table on a cold winter day. The finished product looks great when presented and can be enjoyed year round. Most of the supplies needed for this project can be found in your recycling bin and garage. The only thing you may need to pick up are the organic succulents. Jump over to Inhabitots to get started making these adorable organic succulents in recycled paint dipped cans!
Preschoolers love to do crafts — especially ones with a holiday theme. But oftentimes craft endeavors are too complicated or frustrating, and mom or dad are left to complete the undertaking while kiddos meander off to other activities. That’s why making these miniature holiday trees with your little ones is a great, green craft, because they are super simple to create in a matter of minutes. You’ll have a tiny forest to put on the table in no time, and you’ll teach your children the art of recycling by making these trees entirely out of recycled paper and holiday store catalogs you’ve probably been receiving in the mail over the past month. And they are a great project for older children to do all on their own!
Besides being a craft that children can do almost entirely on their own, this craft is fun because you can make it as elaborate or as simple as you choose. You can add a little glitter or some small bead ornaments to make the trees really magical. Jump over to Inhabitots to learn how you and your little one can construct a simple recycled tabletop holiday forest in a few minutes.
Hello, Friends! Are you having a beautiful holiday season? We are enjoying every second of it! We are looking forward to a quiet Hanukkah weekend full of family, latkes and snuggles on the sofa. It is going to be simple and relaxing – the way the holidays should be, right?
While I gather up some comfy blankets, here are a few green things to keep you entertained over the weekend:
This recipe is sure to hit the spot and transport you to the warm isles of the Caribbean – especially on a cold winter night. Tostones are served in restaurants around the world, but they are so easy to make at home. I find these to be a great comforting side dish or appetizer. Read on to get started.
What you will need for the Tostones:
2 green plantains (they should be green, not yellow – the yellow ones are too sweet)
Oil for frying
Salt to taste
Step 1: Preheat the oil on high heat.
Step 2: Peel the plantains and slice them into 1 ½ inch pieces. The peel is very tough and can be difficult to remove. It is a lot easier to peel them if you drop them in boiling water for 30 seconds or so.
Step 3:
Drain them, and while they are hot, smash them. You can use a tostonera, a traditional wooden Puerto Rican smashing tool, or you can just use the bottom of a heavy drinking glass. Spray the glass with non-stick spray for easier release.
Step 4: Heat the oil on high and fry again until golden brown.Some people dip the plantains in water just before the second fry, but either way has a nice result.
Step 5: Drain on paper towels, salt, and serve immediately with dipping sauces.
To me, tostones always taste better with dipping sauces. One of my favorite sauces is the Chimichurri sauce, which is traditionally served alongside flank steaks and brisket. I find that the vinegar and the fresh herbs make a really nice contrast with the hot and salty crispiness of the plantains.
What you will need for the Chimichurri dipping sauce:
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
2 cloves minced garlic
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (or your favorite vinegar)
2 tbsp minced red onion (optional)
Mojo sauce is traditionally served with plantains. It is very easy to do, and you can flavor it with other ingredients. I like to add cilantro to mine.This dipping sauce adds a nice cool and creamy contrast to the hot, crispy plantains.
What you will need for the Mojo dipping sauce:
1/4 cup vegan mayonnaise
2-3 tbsp ketchup
1 clove minced garlic
1 tbsp chopped cilantro (optional)
This is one of my favorites, so I’ll hope you’ll try them. For photos and fun background stories about tostones and the 21 Days of Going Vegan Project, please visit my blog!
