Children love to watch things grow and they enjoy getting their hands dirty. One of the best ways for them to do both is by helping them build an easy recycled glass terrarium. Terrariums are super-fun for children because it’s like having an entire miniature world inside a glass jar. A terrarium is easy to make and simple to maintain, no matter the season. My recycled glass terrarium can be made with any sized glass jar that you find in your recycling bin. Once your child has finished creating their terrarium, they can move it from room to room or even take it to school for show and tell since the lid screws on tight. You can make a terrarium with your child in just a few minutes, leaving them with a project that they will enjoy all year long. Jump over to Inhabitots to see how Eben and I created a terrarium and learn how to get started.
Yesterday, I was feeling ambitious and decided that I would give sushi making a try. Ok, not really sushi — more like California and Asparagus Rolls. I really thought it was going to be super hard and most likely would end in a pile of mush. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that I can make sushi rolls. How great is that? And even better, Eben and Mr. Sweet Greens actually ate them and said they were delicious. Yay! Think you can’t make sushi rolls? Think again and follow my simple steps to making your own organic sushi rolls, starting with the sticky rice, read on to learn how.
What you will need to make the sticky rice:
– 1 3/4 cups organic sushi rice – a thin strip of organic nori – 3 tablespoons organic rice vinegar – 1/2 teaspoon salt – 4 teaspoons organic sugar – rice paddle
Step 1: Rinse the rice in a colander under cold water, shake well to make sure that the rice is well rinsed. Let it drain for 20 minutes. Step 2:Add the rice, nori and 1 1/2 cups of water to a saucepan, stirring occasionally until it comes to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and let cook for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for 10 minutes more while covered.
Step 3:Move the rice to a wooden bowl, add the vinegar, salt and sugar and turn the rice for 3 minutes until well mixed. Be careful not to smash the rice. Cover with a damp cloth until the rice cools to room temperature.
What you will need to make the rolls:
– an assortment of veggies – organic cream cheese (optional) – organic crab meat (optional) – a sushi mat – a piece of eco-friendly plastic wrap – organic nori – wasabi (optional) – soy sauce (optional)
Step 1: Slice up your vegetables. (I used organic avocado, cucumber and asparagus.)
Step 2: Cut your sheets of nori in half. (I used 3 sheets of nori for 6 different rolls.)
Step 3:Cover one side of your sushi mat with eco-friendly plastic wrap. Place your piece of nori (rough side up) on the mat and cover with the sticky rice. Flip the nori over so the rice side is face-down on the mat.
Step 4: Place the veggies in rows across the nori. I did a lower layer of avocado, an upper layer of organic crab meat and cucumber in the middle for the California Roll. For the Asparagus roll. I did a layer of asparagus on the top and bottom and cream cheese in the middle.
Step 5: Lift the edge of the mat closest to you and start rolling the sushi roll away from you, pressing in as you roll. You can find a great video on YouTube here that shows you exactly how to roll.
Step 6: Using a clean, wet knife, slice each roll in half, then each half into 3, each roll should have 6 pieces.
Step 7: Enjoy with your family and friends.
Do you make your own sushi? What is your favorite kind?
Hello Everyone. Are you having a fun April Fool’s Day? I am getting ready to start making cupcakes for dinner. Ha! I think this will be the perfect way to start the weekend! Since Eben’s knee is still healing from his accident last week, we have very low-key plans for the weekend. I was thinking a stop at our favorite farmer’s market, followed by dinner and a movie at home. What are your weekend plans?
While I start preparing dinner, here are a few fun green things from the interwebz this week:
– I am definitely going to make an organic batch of these carrot cake whoopie pies. – This just proves it, twins really do have their own language. – Cycleberry Joe, I wish you delivered fruit by bicycle in Florida. – Need a Seventh Generation Liquid Laundry Detergent coupon? Here you go. – I love seeing creative ways to reuse a shipping container. What do you think? – What a great way to reuse vintage coffee cans. (Thanks, Angie) – I love these organic dolls that I wrote about for Inhabitots. (intro image) What do you think?
I hope you have a sunny weekend full of fun and love. xo, Sweet Greens
Springtime is finally here, the birds are chirping, the flowers and blooming and your family is ready to get outside. There are many activities that your family can enjoy together that will promote a stronger family bond while adding an appreciation for the environment. Finding ways to promote a healthy planet and a happy family, while having fun is a great way to celebrate spring. Jump over to Cascadian Farm to see some fun ways that your family can enjoy each other and help the planet at the same time this spring.
Eben cracks me up — he already has a handful of April Fool’s Day pranks up his sleeve for today. He is a little too shy to pull any pranks on anyone at school, however, he can’t wait for the mister to come home from work today. Watch out!
I also have some April Fool’s Day tricks planned for the boys this evening. Shhhh. I am making a batch of these meatloaf and potatoes cupcakes for dinner (the vegetarian version with organic ingredients, of course.) And I think I will use natural food coloring to make the “frosting” pop a little. Eben is always saying that we should have cupcakes for dinner — so won’t he be surprised when dinner is served? I can’t wait to see both his and the misters’ faces. For the mister this joke will be two-fold – first, he will think that it is simply a joke that I made dinner! Since he is the chef in the family, I seriously NEVER cook dinner. Ha! Won’t they both be surprised?
Does your family joke, prank and surprise each other for April Fool’s Day? What do you have planned?
Children love to watch things grow and they enjoy getting their hands dirty. One of the best ways for them to do both is by helping them build an easy recycled glass terrarium. Terrariums are super-fun for children because it’s like having an entire miniature world inside a glass jar. A terrarium is easy to make and simple to maintain, no matter the season. My recycled glass terrarium can be made with any sized glass jar that you find in your recycling bin. Once your child has finished creating their terrarium, they can move it from room to room or even take it to school for show and tell since the lid screws on tight. You can make a terrarium with your child in just a few minutes, leaving them with a project that they will enjoy all year long. Jump over to Inhabitots to see how Eben and I created a terrarium and learn how to get started. 
Yesterday, I was feeling ambitious and decided that I would give sushi making a try. Ok, not really sushi — more like California and Asparagus Rolls. I really thought it was going to be super hard and most likely would end in a pile of mush. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that I can make sushi rolls. How great is that? And even better, Eben and Mr. Sweet Greens actually ate them and said they were delicious. Yay! Think you can’t make sushi rolls? Think again and follow my simple steps to making your own organic sushi rolls, starting with the sticky rice, read on to learn how.
