INGREDIENTS:

15 or 20 Organic Artichoke Hearts
2/3 cup Organic Spinach
1 teaspoon Organic Lemon Pepper
1/4 Organic Sea Salt

18 thin slices Brie Cheese
Organic Olive Oil

DIRECTIONS:
1. Start your grill.

2.Prepare artichoke hearts by either steaming or boiling them which ever you prefer.

3. At the same time chop and cook your spinach

4.Combine spinach, lemon pepper and salt in a small bowl. Top each artichoke heart with the spinach mixture and brie.
5. If you have a stone or wood slab to grill on that is great if not you can wrap the hearts in aluminum. Grill until cheese melts, 1 to 2 minutes.

I know I wrote about a Method cleaning kit previously but this weekend while I was washing my dishes with my Method Cucumber scented dish soap I had to read the back lable. I am addicted to reading the backs of my products from ingredients, to fun facts to the company story. While reading the back of my dish soap I happened upon something that made me even happier that I use their products. IT WAS MADE IN THE USA!!!! I am still doing some research to see if all of the products are made in the USA but I know their dishsoap is! I have used Method’s laundry detergent, the hand soap, bathroom cleaner you name it. I am in love with their products. They are inexpensive and if you click below you can order your own Method Cleaning Kits. The Ultimate Green Store Green Cleaning. If you haven’t tried their products yet you should! Let me know how they worked out for you! Remember it is important to support companies they invest in supporting our environment and the USA!

Ingredients:
1 box whole wheat pasta (your favorite shape)
1 small can organic sliced ripe black olives
1/4 cup organic green pepper sliced
1/4 cup organic red bell pepper sliced
1/4 cup organic red onion, diced chopped
1/4 cup organic carrot chopped
1 oz. turkey pepperoni (optional)
1/4 cup organic uncooked broccoli chopped
1/4 cup organic uncooked cauliflower
1 tsp organic black pepper
1 tsp organic hot red pepper
1 tsp organic oregano
1 tsp organic parsley
1 tsp organic garlic powder
1 tsp organic basil
Organic White Balsamic Vinegar
Grated Parmesan Cheese
Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Directions:
Begin by boiling the pasta according to the boxes instructions. While the pasta cooks start chopping your peppers, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, olives & turkey pepperoni. After chopping all vegetables and pepperoni place in a large bowl. By this time the pasta should be ready to drain. Make sure the pasta is drained completely, then add the pasta to the bowl and mix. You can add some olive oil at this time to make everything mix smoothly. Also add a small amount of the vinegar as well so the taste has time to set in.
Now begin to add the basil, parsley, garlic powder, oregano, hot red pepper & black pepper. Mix thoroughly and add a little more olive oil and more vinegar. You don’t want to add too much vinegar because it can make the salad soggy while you let it sit and cool. You can always add more vinegar later to give it more taste. Place in refrigerator and let cool for 30 minutes minimum. When you are ready to serve you can add more vinegar if you need to add more for taste. Then mix in the parmesan cheese and sprinkle some on the top before serving.

Ingredients

* 1 package organic cherry tomatoes
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 3 cloves minced organic garlic
* 1/2 chopped organic onion
* 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
* 1 table spoon organic sweet basil
* 1/4 teaspoon organic sea salt
* 1/4 tablespoon organic fresh ground black pepper
* 1 tablespoon organic dried parsley

Directions

Cut the cherry tomatoes in half or thirds if they are big enough. Make sure the tomatoes are not too ripe, that can get messy. In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, garlic, onion, parsley, olive oil, basil, salt, and pepper. Allow the mixture to sit for 10 minutes in the refrigerator. Then add the vinegar. Not too much to start because you want the mixture to not be very watery. Add the remaining vinegar to the mixture about 15 minutes before you are ready to serve. You can also chop up fresh mozzarella to add to the salad when you are ready to serve. This salad can also double as bruschetta.

Ingredients

* 1 pound organic red potatoes, large diced
* 1 1/2 tablespoons organic apple cider vinegar
* 1/4 cup organic mayonnaise or canola mayonnaise
* 1 tablespoon yellow deli mustard
* 1 tablespoon organic dried chives
* 1 tablespoon organic dried dill
* 1 tablespoon organic garlic powder
* 1/2 cup chopped organic red onion
* 1 teaspoon organic dried parsley
* 1/2 cup chopped organic celery
* 1 teaspoon organic sea salt
* 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Cut potatoes in large pieces then place potatoes into a large heavy-bottomed pot. Cover with cold water and place over high heat with a pinch of sea salt and organic olive oil in the water. Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Once water is boiling put potatoes in pot without cover on, still on high heat. Let potatoes boil while you chop the onions and celery.
Put the celery, onions and spices in a bowl that has a lid. Check potatoes periodically to make sure they don’t over cook. Once they are soft remove from pot and drain. Mix potatoes with onions, celery and spices. Next mix in the vinegar. Then add the mayonnaise and mustard do not mix but put the lid on the bowl and shake until everything completely mixed. Put the finished salad in the refrigerator for at least an hour to make sure it cools.

Ingredients

* 1 bag your favorite shaped organic pasta
* 2 cans dolphin safe chunk light tuna in water
* 1 1/2 tsp organic black pepper
* 2 teaspoons of organic lemon juice
* 1 1/2 tsp organic garlic power
* 1 1/2 tsp organic parsley
* 1 1/2 tsp organic sweet basil
* 1 1/2 tsp organic dill
* 1/2 a small organic red onion
* 2 table spoons canola mayonnaise
* 1 table spoon organic yellow deli mustard
* 1 small bunch organic uncooked broccoli
* 1 small bunch organic uncooked cauliflower
* 1/2 cup cooked organic sweet peas
* 1 small organic uncooked carrot

Directions

1. Cook pasta following instructions on packet or box. Then drain and set aside to cool.
2. While pasta is cooking mix the broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and peas with the spices and lemon juice.
3. Open tuna cans & drain. Then add tuna, mayo, mustard and mix with vegetables and spices.
4. After the mixture is finished the pasta should be cooled by now and ready to add to the vegetables and tuna. I usually put my pasta or vegetable salads in tupperwear or something with a top so I can shake the mixture ALOT!
5. Once you are done shaking put the salad in the fridge for about 30 minutes to cool and set.
6. After the 30 minutes take out of the fridge and serve!

Ingredients:

1 pkg Olive Nation pasta (any shape you prefer)
1/4 cup canola mayonnaise or Nayonaise
1 small bunch of raw organic broccoli
1 small bunch of raw organic cauliflower
1 stalk of organic celery
8 pcs of raw organic carrots
1 tsp organic yellow deli mustard
1 tsp Frontier organic veggie pepper
1 tsp Frontier organic garlic powder
1 tsp Frontier organic parsley
1 small organic onion, finely chopped
1 package of Frontier Organic Creamy Dill Dip

Directions:

Cook pasta according to the instructions.
While pasta is cooking start to chop all the vegetables to the size you prefer. I prefer to chop them as small as I can. Once all the vegetables are chopped mix in the cooked pasta. After making sure all veggies and pasta are well mixed put 1/4 of the package of the Frontier Creamy Dill Dip , garlic powder, veggie pepper, & parsley and mix again thoroughly. After all ingredients are mixed then put mustard and mayo on the pasta and mix again. Taste test to make sure you don’t need to add more spices mayo or mustard. After all additions are finished I usually put the salad in a tupperware bowl with a lid and shake up the salad until I think its perfect. Then I put the salad in the fridge to cool. After about 30 minutes you can remove and serve.
Some other ideas to change up your macaroni salad are maybe adding hard boiled eggs, peppers, olives, cheese, peas, pickles, hot cherry peppers, or jalapenos. Maybe experiment with different pastas like ravioli or tortellini and add grilled chicken, tuna, turkey pepperoni, sliced turkey, tofu or maybe salmon. You have a never ending variety of items to change up your summer salads. Tell me what your favorite ingredients are!

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Currently I am moving, which for most of us that don’t own homes happens pretty regularly. I am not a fan of moving because I don’t like heavy lifting but I do love new places and decorating! The one large problem I feel most people have is packing. Where are you going to get boxes, do you have to purchase them or are you lucky enough to find places that will give them to you for free? I actually have the perfect answer! Not only can you move in a greener more responsible way but you can do it all inexpensively!! Usedcardboardboxes.com is the answer to any of your moving needs. They believe in their own set of the 3R’s: Rescue, Resell & Recycle. Usedcardboardboxes.com are a zero waste company which personally is very important to me but is a rare quality even with green companies. They “rescue”, as UsedCardboardboxes call it, boxes evaluate them by size and quality then separate them into their “stacks” & “kits”.

I have received the Dorm or Studio kit. I have purchased boxes before from storage places and spent alot of money in doing so. The Usedcardboardboxes.com’s dorm kit is awesome. Now keep in mind this clearly isn’t enough to move an entire house worth of items but it is definitely a decent jump start! The dorm room kit comes fully loaded with:

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Mind you the shipping is free and the total cost of this kit is $38.00!! That is it! I know many people get boxes from liquor stores or grocery stores and save up news papers to save money which is an excellent way to do so but I have to say Usedcardboardboxes.com helped greatly! Packing was soo much easier and much less stressful. It made me even happier to know that the boxes were recycled and to be reused by me. Since the boxes are in such good shape I will probably continue to use them as storage for holiday decorations or seasonal clothes.

I am happy to know there are companies out there that help support the ideas of recycling, reusing, and reducing waste. Not enough businesses or individuals are concerned enough about the importance of reducing waste. When I come across businesses that I trust who have the same values as I do about our environment and responsibility I need to share it with people so these businesses can continue to thrive and be brought to the forefront of the green movement. We cannot hope to bring about change without being active about our beliefs and even something small like moving boxes can help a great deal.

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Seed Pack Description
For hundreds of years before modern medicine, herbs were the medicine of early Americans, both Native and European. Even today, herbs remain one of the primary sources of medical remedies in both modern laboratories and natural medicine. Heirloom Organics offers the best selection of natural remedies available to the home gardener today.

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Echinacea Angustifolia

Americans may have used echinacea for more than 400 years to treat infections and wounds and as a general “cure-all.” Today, people use echinacea to shorten the duration of the common cold and flu and reduce symptoms, such as sore throat (pharyngitis), cough, and fever. Many herbalists also recommend echinacea to help boost the immune system and help the body fight infections. Echinacea is well known for its anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.

FENNEL
Fennel Teas, or Fennel Water have been used throughout history to break up kidney stones, increase the flow of milk in nursing mothers, a weight loss aid, help with menopausal symptoms, quiet hiccups, prevent nausea, aid digestion, prevent gout, purify the liver, reverse alcohol damage to the liver, and treat jaundice. For babies, it is said to to relieve colic and flatulence, and to expel worms. It may be effective when used along with conventional treatments in prostate cancer (and it is worth trying, but consult with your doctor first). The tea can also be gargled as a breath freshener and applied as an eye wash. Alternatively, the leaves can be dried, pulverized into a powder, and made into Capsules for when it’s not convenient to utilize a tea.

FEVER FEW

Used for centuries in European folk medicine as a remedy for headaches, arthritis, and fevers. The term feverfew is adapted from the Latin word febrifugia or “fever reducer.”Feverfew is also used to treat menstrual irregularities, labor difficulties, skin conditions, stomach aches, and asthma.

LAVENDER
Lavender has been used as an herbal remedy, and has antiseptic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-convulsive, and anti-depressant properties. Internally, Lavender is believed to be of beneficial for ailments including stress, anxiety, exhaustion, irritability, headaches, migraines, insomnia, depression, colds, digestion, flatulence, upset stomach, liver and gallbladder problems, nervousness, loss of appetite, and as a breath freshener and mouthwash. Inhaling the essential oil in some cases has been reported to work as well as narcotics for inducing relaxation and sleep and reducing headache pain.

MULLEIN
Mullein has been used as an alternative medicine in many countries throughout the world. The value of Mullein as a proven medicinal herb is now backed by scientific evidence. Research indicates uses as analgesic, antihistaminic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, antiviral, bacteristat, cardio-depressant, estrogenic, fungicide, hypnotic, sedative and pesticide are valid.

STINGING NETTLE
Stinging nettle has been used to treat painful muscles and joints, eczema, arthritis, gout, and anemia. Today, many people use it to treat urinary problems during the early stages of an enlarged prostate (called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH), urinary tract infections, hay fever (allergic rhinitis), or in compresses or creams for treating joint pain, sprains and strains, tendinitis, and insect bites.

VALERIAN
Valerian is a central nervous system relaxer, and as such has been used as a calming sleep aid for over 1,000 years. When taken in the proper dosage, Valerian can induce restful sleep without grogginess the next morning, unlike prescription drugs that mimic it’s properties, such as Valium. It is an effective stress reducer, and has benefit in cases of nervous tension, depression, irritability, hysteria, panic, anxiety, fear, stomach cramping, indigestion due to nervousness, delusions, exhaustion, and, of course, nervous sleeplessness. It also appears to have real benefits in cases of sciatica, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, shingles, and peripheral neuropathy, including numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and pain in the extremities.