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REVIEW: Fire & Flavor Gluten Free, Certified Non-GMO Rubs

February 11, 2015 0

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In Florida, it’s always warm enough to grill! We recently received a set of Fire & Flavor’s gluten free, certified Non-GMO rubs and seasonings to review. Fire & Flavor, based in Athens, GA, helped to popularize cedar plank grilling, which as become a favored technique for grilling fish. A WBE certified woman owned business, Fire & Flavor was founded by Gena Knox. Knox’s Southern background and love of family and friends fueled her passion for cooking. Today, the company shares all kinds of ways to make food more delicious, nutritious, and easier to cook.

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Those of you who are experienced grillers know that a good seasoning or rub will compliment the natural flavor of a food without overpowering it—which is exactly what Fire & Flavor’s rubs do! Fire & Flavor uses all natural ingredients to make flavor-filled rubs that make any cook feel like a gourmet chef, including the Classic Rub, Everyday Rub, Turkey Rub, and Coffee Rub—yum! While grillers will embrace the dynamic uses of these seasonings, anyone can use them. Fire & Flavor’s website offers ideas for how to use the rubs and the Everyday Rub, for example, tastes great on seafood, chicken, and even sweet potatoes. As an added eco-bonus, rubs come in a recyclable shaker-top jar and the company uses BPA-free packaging. The company also sells brines, cedar planks, and cookbooks.

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We reviewed the seasons & rubs including the coffee, classic, everyday rub, and the turkey rub. The Coffee Rub, which combines fresh-roasted coffee with a hint of ancho chile pepper and brown sugar. We tried it on grass-fed steak. The Classic Rub is great for tenderizing lean pork chops, as well as chicken, without overpowering natural flavors – we used it on organic chicken.  The Everyday Rub is made from a mild blend of assorted chilies, paprika, brown sugar, onion, and garlic. We used this rub on fresh fish!

Whether you’re an avid griller or beginning cook, Fire & Flavor’s rubs add gourmet home-cooking flavor to any meal.

 

Full Disclosure: I received samples of this product and was compensated for this sponsored post – however, all opinions are my own.

Energy Savings and the Environment: The Secrets of Solid Home Insulation

January 26, 2015 0

san-francisco-210230_1280Hello, Friends! This post was sponsored and wasn’t written by me. Thank you for supporting the companies that help to run Sweet Greens!
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Better insulation keeps your home more comfortable, and it is good for the environment and your heating and cooling costs. Improving the insulation of your home can pay for itself in energy savings in a very short period of time. This means you are reducing your home’s carbon footprint by reducing the amount of resources needed to heat and cool your home. Even a small reduction can have a significant impact on the environment. Less energy means less nuclear waste, methylmercury released through coal combustion, and other toxic volatile compounds released into the environment. You can read more about it on Reviewlr. Precious animal habitats are also disrupted less frequently if new sources of energy are not required to be utilized. Here are some tips for improving the energy efficiency of your home.

Older homes
If you live in a house made before the 1950s, it is likely that you have no insulation besides an air space. If your walls are six inches thick then you probably have at least four inches of air space. This was a traditional building method before the advent of fiberglass insulation and foams. In some cases you may be able to use expanded foam insulation to fill in this space via small holes in your walls that can be concealed with paint or patching. If you are replacing the wall coverings then you can use an eco-friendly insulation.

Roof and attic space
Heat rises. The insulation value of your roof or attic is crucial to the energy efficiency of your home. It is simply amazing how much heat a home can lose. One option for insulating an attic space that is unfinished or not used for storage is to use insulation made from shredded cellulose or recycled paper. This is blown into your attic space for even application. It offers superior insulation value at an economical cost. For those with a cathedral ceiling, foam insulation or fiberglass is the best option. There are many eco-friendly options available now – just ask.

Shutters
Some insulation solutions can add a lot of class and sophistication. Consider window shutters, for example. They are available in a wide variety of styles to suit the architecture and charm of your home. Custom shutters are also available if you want a truly unique style. This is an especially good choice for older and traditional styles of home.

Basement or crawlspaces
What is under your home is a much overlooked area. It is possible that you are losing a lot of heat through your floor. While modern building codes usually require insulation in floors, older homes may have none. Newer homes may have some but it might be minimal. Spraying expanding foam insulation can make your floor a lot warmer to the touch and cut down on your overall heating and cooling costs.

As you can see, there are many ways to increase the energy efficiency of your home. The methods you choose will vary depending on the age and condition of the house. Getting a professional to do an energy audit and helping you to make the best choices when it comes to insulating your home in an eco-friendly way can be a big help if you are still having trouble deciding what is best for your home.

Gluten-Free Cookbook Library Giveaway

December 3, 2014 23

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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

December 3, 2014 1

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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

December 2, 2014 20

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 cafés, 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 entrée 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!

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