colormehappy: Simply yummm...vegetable quinoa!!

colormehappy: Simply yummm...vegetable quinoa!!: 1 Cup Quinoa 2 Cups water 1 Tablespoon olive oil 1 Cup sweet peas 1 Cup chopped carrots 1/2 Cup chopped green bell pepper 1 grated green chi...

16 simple ways to reduce plastic waste!!

"Everybody knows about this but nobody cares" was a comment on my facebook page when I posted this article.
The very well question arises is why we do not care to care??

If you are the one who does not care then try anything that reduces any kind of waste, be it using vinegar for dishwashing liquid...not using a straw, a party without balloons, recycling, or just turning off a light when not in use. Caring always makes us feel good, responsible and proud of ourselves!!

All we need to do is Be aware. Change will follow:))

A simple, informative and practical guide to reducing plastic waste!!

16 simple ways to reduce plastic waste MNN - Mother Nature Network

Eggless pineapple very berry wholegrain fruit cake!

Turn any moment into celebration with this fruity, nutty and whole grain heart healthy cake!

• 1 cup fresh pineapple cut up small or grated
• 1/2 Cup fresh juice (mix of pineapple and mango with a handful of blueberries)
• Leftover fruit pulp from juice
• 1/3 cup blueberries
• 1-1/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 cup milled flax seed
• 7oz sweetened condense milk
• 1 tablespoon baking powder

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 teaspoon fresh ground cardamom (omit shells) or powder

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

•1/2 cup yogurt with 1 tablespoon of agave (or sugar)

• 1/3cup sliced dry fruits and nuts ( I used mix of almonds, walnuts and raisins)

1. Preheat oven to 325`F. Lightly coat pan with oil and flour.

2. Using processor take out ½ Cup fresh juice from pineapple, mango and a handful of blueberries. (Don’t throw the leftover pulp from juice)

3. In a bowl whisk together yogurt with agave or sugar, pineapple, fresh juice, condense milk, blueberries and leftover pulp.

4. In a separate large bowl whisk together whole wheat pastry flour, milled flax seed, baking powder, baking soda, ground cardamom and salt.

5. Add wet ingredients to dry and mix them together with dry fuits and nuts.( save some to sprinkle on top)

6. Pour batter in pan and sprinkle leftover dry fruits and nuts on top.

7. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until pale brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

8. Cool in pan for 15-20 minutes.

Loosen edges, and turn out onto wire rack to cool completely
Enjoy goodness in every bite:)


Thanks for visiting and have a colorful celebration!!

Bakers Note:)
You can use dried or frozen berries too. Soak them in water to regain moisture. (Approximately 20-25 minutes)
Mango for juice is optional.
Whole wheat flour can be used in place of whole wheat pastry flour. I used hudgson mill flour.
Agave nectar is more natural and low in glycemic index than sugar. It can also be used on the slices while serving for extra flavor and sweetness:)
Add an extra bowl of water to oven to keep the cake moist.

Eliminating paper waste!

Instead of paper invitations and thank you notes use online invites or call.

Love those paper invites too much to skip them altogether? Go for sustainable items, recycled paper and decorate with earth friendly materials.

Promote Giving!!

Help your child choose a worthwhile charity and ask guests to make a donation instead of gifts.

Ordering cut bouquet?

Instead of ordering a cut bouquet from a florist, plant perennials in your loved ones garden...so they can be enjoyed for years to come :))

Eggless very berry whole grain heart healthy cake!!

Makes 1 bundt cake , 24 muffins, 8 mini loaves or 3 large loaves.

Fruity, nutty, and whole grain heart healthy, this delicious cake has a goodness in every bite. Its a great way to turn any moment into celebration!!

Happy baking :) :)

 

4 OZ Blueberries

3 OZ Cranberries

1 OZ Blackberries

2 Oranges for 1 cup fresh orange juice
1 Mango for half cup fresh mango juice

4 Tsp. Orange zest (crushed fresh orange peel)

2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 cup wheat flour
1 cup white all purpose flour
1/2 cup milled flax seed
4 Tsp. baking powder

1 Tsp. baking soda

1/2 Tsp. salt

4 Tbsp. yogurt

4 Tbsp. Olive oil

1/2 cup milk (optional)
8 Tsp. egg replacer

1 Tsp. vanilla extract
2/3 cup sugar

1 cup sliced dry fruits and nuts (I used mix of walnuts, almonds and raisins)

1. Preheat oven to 400`F. Lightly coat pan with oil and flour.

2. Using processor take out fresh juice from 2 oranges and a mango. (Don’t throw orange peels and leftover pulp from juice)

3. Wash and grate orange peels into fine zest.

4. In a bowl whisk together yogurt, olive oil, fresh juice, egg replacer, sugar, vanilla extract, orange zest and left over pulp from juice.

5. In a separate large bowl whisk together whole wheat pastry flour, whole wheat flour, milled flax seed, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

6. Add wet ingredients to dry and mix them together with nuts. (Add an extra 1/2 cup milk if the batter is not wet enough to pour)

7. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until pale brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

8. Cool in pan for 15-20 minutes.

Loosen edges, and turn out onto wire rack to cool completely.

Bakers Note:)

You can use dried or frozen berries too. Soak them in water to regain moisture. (Approximately 20-25 minutes)

If you are not using fresh juice and pulp add 4 Tsp. more of orange zest. (8 Tsp.)

You can replace sugar with agave nectar, which is low in glycemic index. It can also be used on the slices while serving for extra flavor and sweetness:)

Add an extra bowl of water to oven to keep the cake moist.

For green living try this..Boil the left over orange peels in water and set aside for an hour. The house smells great....naturally :))

Thanks for visiting. Have a colorful celebration!!

Green and Responsible celebrations!

Applying the 3 R's- recycle, reduce and reuse to a party theme is a good example to teach our kids to think outside the box, be more creative and less materialistic. Educating them about the green living is a step forward in raising the child who appreciates and is thankful!
Parties are fun and will always be because they are from us and people around us. They are about getting together, celebrating, enjoying and cheering. A few hours of glee should add smiles and memories to our lives and not a heaping pile to the landfills.
My green and responsible party series is going to be all about simple and savvy ideas which will help us think creative, save money and bring the waste to bare minimum.
Change begins with us. Happy green and responsible living!