Tag Archives | green families

Gluten-Free Cookbook Library Giveaway

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Today’s giveaway is a great one for gluten-free gift getters on your holiday list! I have gathered a trio of my favorite gluten-free cookbooks for this giveaway.

This giveaway includes:

  1. Gluten Freedom by Susie Flaherty
    Distinguishing scientific fact from myth, Gluten Freedom explains the latest research, diagnostic procedures, and treatment/diet recommendations, helping consumers make the best choices for themselves and their families. Gluten Freedom also discusses gluten and its impact on symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and “foggy mind,” as well as behavioral conditions including Autism Spectrum Disorder and schizophrenia.
  2. The Complete Series: Gluten Free by Lola Workman
    Cooking is not only about presenting great food on the table, but it is also about sharing the occasion with family and friends. With the Complete Series, you ll find simple recipes that taste sensational and are easy to prepare, leaving you with plenty of time for life s little pleasures.
  3. Gluten-Free Family Favorites by Kelli & Peter Bronski
    Cooking and sharing meals is something every family should be able to enjoy together—even if one or more family members eats gluten-free. If your household is avoiding gluten, this book will lead the way to recreating your family’s old favorites, and introduce you to a few new ones, too!

To enter, check out these great gluten-free cookbooks and leave a comment below! The winner will be announced on December 10th. Good luck!

How to Iron Clothes More Energy Efficiently

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NOTE: This post wasn’t written by me – thank you for supporting the companies that help keep Sweet Greens in business.
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Ironing is a chore, but there are ways you can easily improve the efficiency of this job to make it less of a hassle and to have less of an impact on the environment. A steam iron can be a great investment because it can significantly improve the appearance of clothing and at the same time prolong their longevity. And the longer that we can use our clothing, the less often we have to buy more – making it a better choice for the environment too. For similar useful tips that will make ironing more efficient, including during the washing and drying process, check out the advice below.

Iron Temperature
Once your clothes are washed and dried, it’s important to use the correct iron temperature to efficiently get rid of those creases. The iron temperature you use will depend on the clothing material, for which there are basic temperature guidelines found on the label. Nylon and silk, for example, should be ironed out on a low heat. Medium to high temperatures are reserved for wool, cashmere, mohair, cotton, ramie and linen – the same for polyester, but preferably using a steam iron. Once you know the appropriate temperatures, “organize the garments so that you start with the coolest setting first” to make for a more efficient ironing routine.

Reducing Wrinkles
Before you even start to iron your clothes, there are some steps you can take during the wash and dry stage to minimize wrinkles and, ultimately, improve your ironing efficiency. The first thing to take note of is the guidelines on a garment’s label, which will tell you the best temperature for washing. With synthetic materials, the permanent press feature of your washing machine should be turned on, and the water needs to be warm to hot. Fabrics that only require a light wash can be spun in cold water.

Other Energy Efficient Ironing Tips

•           The preferred type of water to put in your iron for prolonging its life is soft water; hard water contains minerals that will precipitate and, over time, block your iron, making it less efficient.
•           Hang your clothing straight after ironing to prevent new creases from forming.
•           You shouldn’t iron soiled clothing as the stains will be harder to wash out.

See For Yourself
Hopefully these tips will help you improve the efficiency of your ironing and make it less laborious. Tips like using the correct iron temperature to remove creases will certainly make for a more efficient task. As will washing and drying correctly. Give the tips a try and find out for yourself.

Huge Healthy Cookbook Library Giveaway

Sweet-Greens-Holiday-Giveawcookbook-library-1Today’s giveaway is for all of you foodies out there! I know you’ll go crazy for it! It’s a huge healthy cookbook library – with 13 beautiful cookbooks worth over $300!

This cookbook library includes a variety of excellent recipes for everyone’s palette. Here is a breakdown of the amazing cookbooks this library includes.

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  1. Better Food for Dogs (A Complete Cookbook & Nutrition Guide) by David Bastin, Jennifer Ashton and Dr. Grant Nixon, D.V.M.
    People want their dogs to have happy, healthy and long lives and providing the best nutrition is one of the most important steps you can take toward achieving this goal. The problem is most of us aren’t nutritionists and there are so many conflicting opinions about dog’s dietary needs that feeding your dog can become an overwhelming challenge. Better Food for Dogs is an invaluable reference that will guide you through this nutritional puzzle. It also provides you with all the information — complete with tasty recipes, tested and approved by dogs — you need to feed your dog a natural home-prepared diet, one of the best investments you can make in his/her health.
  1. The Complete Coconut Cookbook by Camilla V. Saulsbury
    Coconut is all over the news — and the shelves of supermarkets. Formerly relegated to the role of decadent treat, coconut is now embraced with an enthusiasm that borders on obsession. And it’s no wonder, given its smooth, creamy texture and the compelling health and nutrition benefits of pure coconut. Everyone from hardcore health-foodies to recreational cooks — and everyone in between — will enjoy these all-natural, high-energy, top-notch, easy-to-make coconut dishes. The 200 innovative recipes cover a broad spectrum of fresh flavors and provide delicious and dependable results.
  2. The Smoothies Bible by Pat Crocker
    Drinking smoothies is the fastest, easiest and best-tasting way to achieve good health. In addition to its original 250 smoothie recipes, this new edition of The Smoothies Bible introduces 100 fresh, new recipes with even more antioxidant fruits and vegetables — even classic cocktails with and without alcohol. However, Crocker retains her original premise: smoothies are a delicious part of a healthy diet and lifestyle.
  3. 200 Best Panini Recipes by Tiffany Collins
    The fresh, robust flavors of Italian grilled sandwiches. A panini is an Italian-inspired pressed sandwich enjoyed throughout Italy and, increasingly, in North American cafÊs, restaurants and kitchens. Italians regard panini as fast food thanks to its easy preparation, which also accounts for its success in North America. Sales of panini makers have skyrocketed, with small appliance manufacturers releasing new models each year.
  4. 150 Best dips and Salsa by Judith Finlayson & Jordan Wagman
    Packed with mouthwatering recipes, this book is all you’ll ever need to get any occasion off to a memorable start. Dips and salsas are the most sociable of recipes. They’re a great catalyst for getting a party off to a good start because they encourage guests to congregate around while scooping and munching.
  5. Tasting the Seasons by Kerry Dunnington
    Tasting the Seasons includes an impressive variety of fast and fresh, irresistible, user-friendly recipes: family-oriented one-dish wonders, updated classics, and creative gourmet entrees – all presented with a steady focus on how to identify, select, and prepare foods using ecologically sound principles. Gathered in a highly readable and entertaining format with humorous culinary-related stories are nearly 250 recipes for superbly seasoned, beautifully presented meals to serve as the center of any occasion, from an intimate family dinner to a large holiday celebration.
  6. The Healthy Slow Cooker by Judith Finlayson
    The first edition was incredibly successful having sold close to 95,000 copies! Definitions of healthy eating have changed quite dramatically since The Healthy Slow Cooker was first published in 2006. In those days, it was one size fits all — low fat, low calorie and no saturated fat. Since then, there’s been a shift in thinking. Many leading experts now feel that many of our modern diseases are directly associated with the consumption of wheat and advocate reducing carbohydrates. Another significant development is that the evidence against saturated fat has been gradually diminishing.
  7. The World’s 60 Best Salads Period
    In The World’s 60 Best Salads… Period, discover main dish and entrĂŠe salads that are colorful, easy to prepare, and absolutely delicious, as well as the best ingredient combinations, new techniques, and foolproof tips and tricks, accompanied by stunning photos that will tempt your taste buds.
  8. The World’s 60 Best Lunches Period
    In The World’s 60 Best Lunches, discover fun-to-eat lunches for kids and adults alike, great packed lunch options to make your midday meal something to look forward to, and original ideas for eating lunch on the go, as well as the best ingredient combinations, new techniques, and foolproof tips and tricks, accompanied by stunning photos that will tempt your taste buds.
  9. The World’s 60 Best Recipes for Students Period
    In The World’s 60 Best Recipes for Students, discover creative, delicious ideas for limited budgets and big appetites and recipes for every occasion, as well as the best ingredient combinations, new techniques, and foolproof tips and tricks, accompanied by stunning photos that will tempt your taste buds.
  10. The World’s 60 Best Skewers
    In The World’s 60 Best Skewers… Period, discover the very best kebab recipes, original side dish and presentation ideas, and sure-fire methods for making the tastiest marinades, as well as the best ingredient combinations, new techniques, and foolproof tips and tricks, accompanied by stunning photos that will tempt your taste buds.
  11. The 100 Best Decorated Cookies by Julie Anne Hession
    Hand-crafted cookies from your kitchen are perfect for any occasion! Whether you’re an occasional holiday home baker or a seasoned pro, you’ll absolutely delight in Julie’s designs and ideas. This fun and creative book features tempting cookie decorating ideas for a wide array of occasions and holidays.
  12. Organic: Farmers and Chefs of the Hudson Valley by Francesco Mastalia
    The Hudson Valley, New York has become an epicenter for the local, organic, sustainable food movement. With its rich agricultural land, the awareness for sustainable living, and the growing demand for local, organic food, the farm-to-table, locavore movement has become a way of life in the Hudson Valley. Organic spotlights the Hudson Valley as a region at the forefront of this movement and features the portraits and words of the dedicated farmers who are committed to growing and producing food using sustainable methods, and the chefs who echo their beliefs and pay homage to the food they produce.

Visit the links above to check out these fantastic books and leave a comment to enter – I’d love to hear what items you will pick out if you are the winner. The winner will be announced on December 17th. Good luck!

rareEarth Naturals Giveaway

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Let’s kick off the holiday season with a fabulous giveaway! I know you’ll love it. The sponser is rareEarth Naturals, and the prize is a generous $75 gift card!

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rareEarth is committed to creating 100% all-natural artisan made in the USA products that are safe, synthetic free, responsibly sourced and beautiful. With all the challenges in the world today, it’s important to remember to give to ourselves—to find simple pleasures that nurture the spirit and allow us to breathe deep and be well.

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I know many of you are starting your gift lists and holiday shopping this week, and rareEarth is a shop that should definitely be on your radar. Their perfumes, candles, diffusers, room mists, and spa collections would all make beautiful, yummy gifts.

dream diffuser

I had the opportunity to try out the Dream (Lavender, Armoise & Clary Sage) diffuser, the Love (Rose Absolute, Palmarosa  & Ylang Ylang) spa candle and Joie (Estatic-Joyful) perfume and found all 3 items to be out of this world. rareEarth’s use of 100% essential oils makes for products that are pure, sustainable, and luxurious.

Seriously, any gal on your holiday shopping list will fall in love with any item that you surprise her with this holiday season!

Visit rareEarth and leave a comment to enter – I’d love to hear what items you will pick out if you are the winner. You can earn extra entries for follow rareEarth on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest – just leave a separate comment for each. The winner will be announced on December 17th. Good luck!

 

Full Disclosure: This giveaway is brought to you by a partnership with rareEarth Naturals.

Have a Lovely Weekend + A Few Green Giveaways

giftsHello, Friends! I hope you had an amazing Thanksgiving! I want to thank you all of your support in 2014, I really appreciate every single one of you.

To kick off December, I will be hosting a few holiday giveaways next week – stay tuned for the fun! If you haven’t joined me on Facebook – jump over there and like my page so you don’t miss any of the fun!

xo,
Sweet Greens