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Organic Pumpkin Pancakes Recipe + Organic Crown Maple Syrup Taste Test

October 12, 2011 0

Eben is a huge breakfast person and Mr. Sweet Greens makes him a super breakfast every morning. Today, it was organic pumpkin pancakes in Halloween shapes – a bat, haunted house and pumpkin. This worked out perfectly, because yesterday I received samples of Crown Maple Syrup made locally in New York.

I lined up the bottles on the breakfast table, then poured a small amount of each flavors onto a plate for each of us to taste.What a great way to start a Wednesday morning, no?

Here is a little more about the flavors:

Light Amber Syrup – Eben’s Favorite
Aromas of popcorn and peanuts, flavors of roasted nuts, salted caramel, and brown butter. The body of our Light Amber syrup, although still light, has a pleasing weight and depth, with flavors and finish that linger.

[It makes complete sense on why this is Eben’s favorite, aromas of popcorn and peanut, flavors of salted caramel, yum.]

Medium Amber Syrup – Mr. Sweet Greens; Favorite
Aromas bring to mind the sights and smells of late fall and early winter. Aromas of gingerbread and roasted chestnut. Flavors of rye, toffee, freshly roasted and ground coffee.

Dark Amber Syrup – Sweet Greens’ Favorite
Sharing similar flavor and aroma character with our Medium Amber syrup, but with more weight, depth and concentration. The aromas of coffee and chocolate are present, along with flavors of brown sugar, and toasted almond.

[I liked the thickness and concentration of the Dark Amber Syrup, it immediately reminded me of autumn.]

Crown Maple Farm is passionate about preserving the land and strengthening the communities in Dutchess County, New York. They practice sustainable production practices, hire local people to work the farm and financially support causes that touch their hearts.

Organic Pumpkin Pancake Recipe
 [adapted from Williams-Sonoma Kitchen Buttermilk Pancake recipe]

– 2 organic eggs [or egg substitute]
– 2 c. organic whole wheat flour
– 3 Tbsp. organic sugar
– 1 tsp. organic baking soda
– 2 tsp. organic baking powder
– 1 tsp. sea salt
– 2 c. organic sour cream
– 1/2 c. organic pumpkin 
– 1/2 tsp. organic vanilla
– organic cooking spray

Wouldn’t Crown Maple Syrup make a fantastic hostess gift or stocking stuffer for the upcoming holiday?

We received samples of Crown Maple Syrup to taste test, however, we were not compensated or required to give our opinions, we just really enjoyed the syrup and thought you would too!

7 Eco-Friendly Ways To Organize Your Child’s Bedroom

October 11, 2011 0

One of the best ways to encourage your child to keep her bedroom neat and clean is by helping her to get it organized. Once everything in her bedroom has a “place,” it’s much easier for her to put things back when she is finished playing with it. Stopping at your local big-box store to pick up a bunch of organizational items is not the eco-friendly or budget-friendly choice though. Instead, look around your house for different items that could be used to help organize your child’s bedroom. You might be surprised by how many great organizational containers you may already have. To get started, check out my 7 favorite eco-friendly ways to organize your child’s bedroom.

photo credit ooh_food via Inhabitots

Have a Lovely Green Weekend + A Few Green Things

October 7, 2011 0

Hello, Friends. This weekend we are going to visit the local Japanese Gardens – if it doesn’t rain. If it rains, we may just stay home and bake pumpkin-chocolate chip cookies, work on our Halloween costumes and decorations then, read spooky stories in the dark. How do you spend a rainy, stormy weekend? Do you stay home or do you have a go-to rainy day place? I would love to hear your ideas.

While I contemplate the possibilities, here are a few green things I have been meaning to share with you:

– I still love Spunge’s organic cotton blankets. Perfect for fall.
– A changing-table dresser that converts to an office desk. 
– Toilet Paper Roll Sculptures: Creepy or cool?
– Leftovers can cause global warming?
– Would you stay in a Vardo?
– DIY hanging wooden display shelf. Cute.
– For the weekend: Zucchini Green Chili Cornbread + Pumpkin Soup.
– I love green, growing billboards.

I hope you have a sunny weekend, full of outside time and fun – minus rain. I will see you back here on Monday.

xo,
Sweet Greens

photo credit

HOW TO: Organic Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

October 7, 2011 0

Have you picked your organic pumpkins for Halloween? Are you getting ready to carve them? If so, make a delicious, healthy snack by roasting the pumpkin seeds. It is a simple process that leaves you with a yummy treat to enjoy all weekend long.

What you will need:

– pumpkin seeds
– organic olive oil
– organic sea salt

Remove the seeds from your pumpkin, rinse, drain and let dry. In a bowl combine the seeds with 1 tablespoons organic olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon organic sea salt. Spread the mixture onto a cookie sheet and roast in the oven at 325° for 30 minutes.

What other ways do you prepare your pumpkin seeds?

photo via Amber Karnes

5 Easy Craft Projects That Reuse Orange Juice Cartons

October 6, 2011 0

If you have an orange juice carton – or any type of juice carton – in your recycling bin, you can create a cool recycled craft. With scissors, a cutting blade, glue and a few other basic supplies you and your child can easily put together one, or all of, these simple juice carton projects. Choose from a desk organizer, wallet, sailboat, portable dollhouse, or snack container, click here to get started.

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