My hometown

I am so saddened at the state of the town I was born and raised.  Tuscaloosa, Alabama was one of the affected cities from the storms that ripped through this weekend.

In light of this I am accumulating goods, clothing, mail-able foods, and kitchen utensils to family in the area to give to organizations taking in donations.

I am going to hold off on posting a traditional post so that I can focus my time to search for goods that the victims of the tornadoes can use.


Thank you my readers for your understanding and I look forward to posting some exciting new things next week. To my friends and family in Tuscaloosa, my hearts and prayers are with you and know that even though a dark night blanketed our beloved city, the sun will shine again and T-town will again be beautiful and strong.

Seafood Lasagna

This recipe is well...divine! It is reduced calorie and reduced fat so never fear!!

Ingredients:

• Whole Wheat Lasagna Noodles (9)
• Light Alfredo Sauce (10 oz)
• 8 oz crab meat tub
• 4 oz can crab meat
• 4 oz can tiny shrimp (drain)
• 12 oz 31-40 peeled, deveined, tall off shrimp
• 8 oz reduced fat ricotta
• 8 oz frozen, chopped spinach
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp flour
• 2/3 cup skim milk
• 1/4 cup parmesan
• 1 cup shredded fat free mozzerella
• pepper
• paprika
• salt
• basil
• garlic powder
• onion powder

Making a roux with butter, flour, salt, and paprika.

Here I have added milk and allowed it to thicken.

In a large pot I have added all the seafood and seasonings.

This is the roux-turned bechamel (white sauce), and added to it are the light alfredo sauce, spinach, salt & pepper.

This is a pic of the thin sauce layer with noodles laying across. (I didn't photograph the noodles cooking-I assume you can do that ). On top of this layer you will do seafood, a bit more sauce, followed by three more noodles and repeat.

I added 1/2 my shredded cheese to the next to last layer and 1/2 on top (as shown) but you can do all on top!  Cover with foil and bake.

This is after baking (& chilling) to be honest we dove right in and I forgot to take it fresh out of the oven but we had enough left over I snapped this...It was pretty tasty! Next time I think I will upgrade and use lump claw meat or lobster *drool*


DIRECTIONS:

1. Cook noodles according to package instructions and preheat oven to 350* (bake).
2. Make a roux. (Melt butter, add flour-stir until well blended)
3. Add paprika (just a sprinkle), a few dashes of salt and pepper, stir.
4. Slowly add milk and cook over low until thickened.
5. Add in ricotta. parmesan and alfredo sauce, stir well.
6. Add in Spinach and stir.
7. Heat all seafood meats together adding salt and pepper to taste and basil.  Cook over medium-low until all packing liquids have evaporated and seafood is mixed and heated through.
8. ASSEMBLE!
9. Grease or spray a 9 X 13 pan.
10. Place just enough of the spinach alfredo to coat bottom of pan.
11. Add 3 noodles over top (they will not completely cover (this is a great carb reduction and you won't miss them anyways because the whole wheat pack a great flavor in small doses!)
12. Add 1/2 of the seafood, followed by 1/3 of the sauce.
13. Three more noodles then repeat with remainder of seafood and 1/3 of sauce, plus about 1/2 cup shredded cheese.
14. Three noodles, coat with remaining sauce then top with 1/2 cup shredded cheese.
15. Cover and bake for 20-25 mins, uncover and bake another 15-20.
16. EAT AND ENJOY!!!!

I served this with a cucumber, tomato, feta, vinaigrette salad...perhaps that recipe to come soon!

Need New Make-Up?

I have been using Origins Cosmetics for almost a year now.  I started wearing make up about 3 years ago and started off using mineral line makeups but was really disappointed in their lack of coverage and it seemed they didn't wear well over the course of a day.  I stumbled upon Origins in a department store and was so thrilled to learn that none of their products contain parabens, phalates, synthetics, and other chemicals I try my best to avoid.  So far I could and would rave about everything I have tried so far. 

I love their skincare line the best...I think, it is a tough and close call.  Currently I use their Checks and Balances face wash, Modern Friction exfoliator, and Have a Nice Day moisturizer along with the occasional use of Clear Improvements charcoal mask and Never a Dull Moment & Brighter by By Nature exfoliators/brighteners.  I have also tried their Vitazing moisturizer and I can't wait to get a full size of this tinted moisturizer. I cannot get enough of their Salt Suds body wash...oh that glorious smell and the clean, non-drying skin I have afterwards...just heavenly.

Their makeup line has been great as far as what I have tried. I wear their Nude and Improved foundation when I am having a rough day, but usually just wear their sheer powder and blush.  I haven't tried any eye or lip products beyond lip balm, but I imagine they are great quality and plan to purchase them as my other supplies run out.



Origins started back in 2009 allowing customers to bring in any used, non-recyclable make-up/skin care jar, tube, etc...in exchange for a sample size of a product.  I think this is an awesome way to keep cosmetic packaging out of landfills and also allowing consumers to try Origins products.

I have not taken advantage of this yet, but as soon as I stumble upon a non-recyclable product container I am all about it.

Let me know what you try when you take in your old cosmetic packaging.  Remember it can be any brand, just packaging that is not recyclable in your area. I will be taking in a container of lotion that isn't recyclable in my area today...I can't lie, I am excited to try out something new that I have tried before at Origins!

Whole Foods Earth Party Idea & Friendly Friday

OK, I will admit I love to steal  borrow ideas all the time.  One I read about the other day is a kid friendly Earth Party in honor of April being Earth Month.

Value Guru at Whole Foods Website offers up some great tips.  Here are a few of the party idea tips shared:

• Reduce waste by serving foods that don’t require plates or cutlery (I am thinking about finger foods that can be eaten right off the platter)

• Reuse decorations, or make some from household items (We have a ton of misprinted papers that my kiddo & I can color eco-friendly pics on)

• Recycle everything! And don’t forget to compost kitchen waste (well of course!-minus the composting, we haven't ventured there yet)

• Rethink party games and prizes (I like the idea of having a few family fun games outdoors- perhaps seedlings for our garden could be prizes)

• Redesign the arts and crafts table with earth friendly ideas (I would love to make/decorate some bird houses and a humming bird feeder, I think our 3 year old would love to do this as well!) I think these are some great starting points to a fabulous Earth Day Extravaganza!!! Thanks Value Guru for some great suggestions! In thinking about Earth Month, what new things are you and your family wanting to experiment with in terms of becoming greener?  New cleaners? Water waste reduction? Less electrical usage? Happy Earth Month everyone! FRIENDLY FRIDAY

Grilled Ahi Tuna and Bacon Wrapped Scallops

I love, love seafood....here is a quick, simple seafood dinner that is healthy and delicious!!

*Citrus based (non oil) dressing
*Teriyaki sauce
*Ahi Tuna filet
*Large Scallops
*Turkey Bacon (I cut mine in half lengthwise)
*Veggies
*Salt and Pepper to taste
*Butter or cooking spray for grill

• Marinate the Tuna in a bag or glass bowl with lid with the dressing and 2-3 tbsp of teriyaki sauce.  The longer you marinate the better. 
• I used metal skewers to hold the bacon strips around the scallops

• Grill scallops for approximately 7 mins on one side and 3 on the other season with salt and pepper to taste.

• Tuna will grill in less time, about 3-4 minutes each side

• Serve with steamed veggies or rice

DELISH!

Do Something Reel Film Festival

Six great films...I encourage you to check out this website that goes more into detail about six amazing films that are perfect to watch during Earth month.

Here are the ones I am going to be viewing:

"Bag It" is a film about our obsession and overuse of plastics in the modern world.  I am super siked to be watching this one as I do my best to limit consumption and use of non-recyclable plastic products.

"Lunchline" a film highlighting a fight for better nutrition in the school systems.  Having a young daughter about to enter the realm of schooling, this is a HUGE issue for me.  For a long time I have been angered at the lack of full balanced nutrition in the public schools.  For many children that may be their only opportunity to eat full well-balanced, healthy food and WE have failed them miserably.  With childhood obesity, diabetes, and other ailments on the rise, perhaps we should invest more time, effort, and care into what our children are presented to eat. *OK stepping off my soap box*


The website makes it easy to find nearby screenings and I am also hoping that these will be on Netflix soon, if not already.

Let me know if you are able to attend any of these viewings and what you took away from them!

Paper, Plastic...did I forget my bags again?

We have all heard about the landfills piling up with plastic bags.  I had no idea just how bad they were for the environment until about six years ago.

This website shows some of the startling facts about plastic bags. I was thrilled to learn that 90% of consumers reuse or recycle their plastic bags.   WHAHOOO.  Great job, it makes it easier that most grocery and large chain stores offer the recycle bins at their entrances.

What if you want to stop using plastic all together?  It is possible, I have about 12 bags and most of which were free or only a dollar or two when I made purchases at certain stores.  It can be hard to establish the routine of taking bags but once you do it is a great feeling and a money saver too. Did you know that Target and most grocers give up to 10 cents per reusable bag brought in?   On average I save 50 cents per grocery trip just for using bags.  It doesn't sound like a whole lot but at the end of each year I save/earn around around $45-50 just for bringing in my own bags.

Here is what I did when starting up my routine & a few other suggestions

• write out "got bags?" on a sticky notes and leave one on your door you normally exit from and another your steering wheel for a week or two, it will help you to remember not to leave them at home
• buy a small tote that can clip onto your key chain or fit in your bag/purse
• have a key ring or basket near your door where you can place empty bags ready to return to the 'workforce'
• have "bags" written on your grocery list
• I have so many bags because I would 'punish' myself by purchasing at least one new bag if I forgot mine at home.
• take them everywhere- Target, Barnes & Noble, the mall- most stores are super reusable bag friendly and remember to check to see if they offer credits for each bag used.

AND if you forget, don't be too hard on yourself and remember you can always reuse or recycle the plastic bags.

Family Fun (& healthy snack) outing

Fro-yo, a hip new trend?  Not for me. I have loved the stuff since I can remember.  I don't feel guilty taking my family for yogurt when it is just tasty and good for you too...

There are many different chains across the globe.  I grew up on TCBY since it dominated the south where we needed something cool in those hot, humid summer months.  Here in central Virginia a new and up and coming shop has caught my eye, my heart, and my taste buds.

sweetFrog

Yes the name is a bit odd and I haven't the slightest who came up with that, but despite the name the deliciousness it holds within it's door is simply sinful, well actually not so much...

here are some nutritional tidbits

*most yogurts range from 3% fat to non fat
*sweetFrog offers fat free, sugar free, no sugar added, and dairy free options
*only 90 calories per 1/2 cup
*in addition to calcium you get a boost of probiotics in each bite too

So here is how it works.  You walk in, sanitize your hands (yes germophobes they've got you covered), grab a bowl, go to the "fill it up" wall and pick your flavor(s), then off to the toppings bar where you can "jazz' it up".  It cost 39 cents per ounce so not only do you know how much you got there is a slight incentive not to over fill, not too worry they love that and I overfill EVERY TIME, it is just too good. 

(dad assisting with the yogurt fun)

The toppings range from healthy low calorie, fresh fruit to yummy chocolates, candies, and syrups.  They just added hot fudge, my kryptonite for sure.

(Lorelei is befuddled on what to choose)

SO if you are bored want to head out to a health-minded place with your family, check out your local fro-yo chain.

(my precious kiddo chowing down)

I don't have many, well really only one bad thing to say, they use styrofoam cups which as you well know is not eco friendly AT ALL...so out of a 1-5 Lantern Rating for taste, health, and eco friendly, I'd have to give sweetFrog a 4.  I have written them and I hope that they will find a better, enviro friendly serving method so I can boost them to a 5+

Friendly Friday via Frugal Novice!

Thanks Christi for hosting Friendly Friday.  You should check out Christi's site Frugal Novice. She has tons of money saving tips, tricks, and product reviews and giveaways! Awesome blog through and through!

Pasta E Fagioli (My version of Olive Garden)

LOVE LOVE LOVE Muir Glen products which is totally weird, why you ask?

I loathe tomatoes, raw ones that is.  They appear so beautiful on salads, paired with mozzerella and balsalmic, or on a sandwhich, but I cannot eat them.  From time to time I give it and honest go and try them, but being 29 I can say with near certainty I will never be the gal that can eat tomatoes like an apple.

I do love all tomato products, ketchup, puree, salsa, even fried green tomatoes (well I bake mine)...but you get the point of my love/hate with tomatoes.  But I have all love for the company Muir Glen and their product goodness.

If I had to pick out a fave it would be their black bean and corn salsa with baked tortilla chips...delicious.  They offer ketchup, soups, pasta sauces, and a WIDE variety of canned tomato products from puree to whole canned tomatoes.  I have tried them all, seriously and so far we haven't found one that wasn't really good!  My husband can't have tons of garlic due to a food intolerance so I don't get to enjoy their sauces and salsas that are high in garlic content very often, but they make the grocery list when he is gone on business *evil laugh*

Today I am focusing on a canned product, fire-roasted diced tomatoes.  One of my fave lunch spots, before I made it a point to eat at home more and eat healthier was Olive Garden for their endless soup, salad, and breadsticks.  Below is a melded recipe from several I googled online and settled upon this configuration as the closest to the real deal.

I am giving a bonus recipe for my spinach artichoke dip that is lower in fat and calories than most.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
My Pasta e Fagioli Close Cut

•  1 lb ground buffalo*
• 1/2 cup finely diced onion
• 1 cup julienned carrots
• 2 tbsp celery flakes (or 1 cup chopped celery stalk) 
• 2 garlic cloves minced (or 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder)
• 1 28ounce can of Muir Glen fire roasted diced tomatoes
• 1 15 ounce can red kidney beans (with liquid)
• 1 15 ounce can cannellini bean (or nothern) with liquid
• 1 15 ounce Muir Glen tomato sauce
• 8 oz spicy V-8 vegetable juice
• 1 tsp white wine vinegar
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp basil
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp ground thyme
• salt to taste
• 8 ounces ditalini pasta**

*we use bison due to it's lean nature and great taste, but ground beef, turkey, or chicken would work-poultry will somewhat change the flavor
**any pasta will work but the ditalini pasta is what they use

1) Brown meat in large cast iron/stock pot. Drain fat.

2)Saute aromatics (onion, carrot, celery (if using stalks), and garlic) for 10 mins.
3)Finally add in all other ingredients with the exception of the pasta and simmer for 1 hour
4) Cook pasta to firm al dente, drain, and add to soup. Remove soup from heat and allow pasta to soak for 10 mins

You can make this in a slow cooker too, brown meat, drain add to slow cooker with all ingredients (minus pasta) cook on low for 4 hours. Add cooked, drained al dente pasta and allow to sit for 10 mins, serve.

I am using Pillsbury Simply French Bread to make breadsticks and coating them with light butter, parmesan and garlic salt.
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BONUS RECIPE

Healthier Spinach Artichoke Dip

• 1 14 ounce can artichoke hearts (chopped)
• 1 10 ounce package frozen chopped spinach (thawed & drained)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 oz Fat Free Cream Cheese
• 1/4 cup reduced or nonfat shredded Mozzerella Cheese
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

1) Oven to  350.
2) Mix all ingredients and scoop into 9 inch pie plate or square baker.
3) Bake 20 minutes or until heated through

Remember Tax Credits

So most of us have already filed and received our refunds for the year. If you are looking for ways to spend your tax refund ,if you received one, and are needing to do some updates and renovations here are some ways you spend your refund and be investing in tax savings for next tax season

Green Tax Breaks

We have been looking into solar panels and are still in the debate of when to do them. If we start them now, we would have to do them in sections as we can save up, but the tax credit for them currently extends till December 2016 so we have plenty of time to save up to do them all at once.

It is always great to see where you can incur savings while investing on your home!!!  Also check for individual manufacturer rebates as well!! Most stores advertise them but sometimes companies don't and you can miss out on really great rebates.

What are some ways you save when you do home renovations?

One reader private messaged me about writing about home renovation swaps.  I have to say from the research so far, the idea is quite awesome!!

More to come on that one, especially with Spring Cleaning in the air.

Product Review- Seeds of Change & Recipe

I love Indian, so if you don't well this post may not be for you ha ha.  I found a product that I am in love with for its ease and simple, not overly strong Indian taste.  Even my three year old likes this.

Seeds of Change Tikka Masala Simmer Sauce

Here is how I use it.

Tikka Masala Chicken

INGREDIENTS
Seeds of Change Tikka Masala Simmer Sauce

Brown Rice

Can Chicken (or two chicken breast cooked and diced into one inch cubes)

Broccoli

• If using non-canned chicken, dice up and cook
• In saute pan over medium heat, place chicken and simmer sauce
• Once it begins to bubble turn to low and simmer (basically follow directions on simmer sauce jar)
• Cook your rice and broccoli according to directions

Make-shift Naan (simple recipe with great flavor when you don't have time to make real Naan)

INGREDIENTS
Whole Wheat or Multigrain Tortillas
Organic Baking Spray
Salt
Cumin
Garlic

• Spray skillet, heat to Med
• Place tortilla in skillet and spray upper side of tortilla
• Sprinkle cumin, salt, and garlic
• Flip and dust other side with cumin, salt, and garlic
• It is finished when both sides have slightly browned and the tortilla has puffed a bit

Final Product...YUMMY!

Ultimate Blog Party-Party Post

I am joining the Ultimate Blog Party 2011 to share my blog and hopefully find some new blog reads to follow myself.

I am a new blog that is focused on finding creative, innovative, easy on the pocket ways to live green.  I blog Monday, Wednesday, and Friday barring unforeseen circumstances. One day each week I focus on a specific product or brand that I feel is environmentally friendly, easy to use, and budget conscientious. The other two I focus on healthy living or eco-friendly tips.  I love to learn new tips, tricks, and recipes and share them with others who are taking baby steps towards being lean, green machines. 


Feel free to join on via RSS or GFC.  I look forward to finding some new blogs to learn and grow from! Feel free to leave me a comment with a link to your site.

18 Second Challenge

Got a minute? No, well how about 18 seconds? One website claims that is all it takes to change a light bulb. Wait right here while I test that out...


OK...so It took me 20 but the point is it only takes a few seconds to make a big impact AND get this SAVE money.

According to the Energystar website, you can save up to $39 over a four year span just by changing one bulb...ONE BULB.  $10 a year might not seem like a whole lot of savings but if you are like me you might have more than one bulb in your house...imagine the savings potential every time you turn a light on. Personally I love the savings and I also love that they are much, much cooler than traditional bulbs so I worry less about lamp fires or burn fingers of my beloved, danger finding toddler.

I know the upfront cost seems so much but in the long run you are doing yourself, your wallet, and the environment good.  I was able to find the bulbs with instant rebates offered through our local power company.  I ended up paying $3.00 for a 4 pack of 60 watt equivalent light bulbs at Home Depot (so as you can imagine I loaded my cart full). And using all 4 should save me close to $40 a year...I'd say that investment was worth it!

Our new home has quite a few recessed lights so I was glad to have found the floodlight bulbs on sale too.  Now I must depart this blogging session to go see if I can improve my 20 second light changing time...I should get a lot of practice in, changing all these bulbs out.


See you back on Friday for a fun post